Professional Documents
Culture Documents
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Ultrasonic Print
Volume 1:
IACS GENERAL PROCEDURES
ABBREVIATIONS
A INTRODUCTION
B IACS ORGANISATION
B1 GOVERNING DOCUMENTS
B2.1.1 Membership
B2.2.1 Membership
B2.4.1 Panels
B2.4.1.1 Membership
B2.4.2.1 Membership
C PROCEDURES
C2.1 VOTING
C3.1 VOTING
C4.1 VOTING
C5 IACS RESOLUTIONS
C5.2.1 General
C6 EXTERNAL RELATIONS
C7 COMMUNICATION
C7.1.1 Language
C7.1.2 Correspondence
C7.2.1 Correspondence
C8 FINANCING / EXPENSES
C8.2.1 General
D ANNEX
D1.2.1 Template
D1.3.1 Introduction
D2 ORGANISATION
Revision history
2 Generally, and unless stated otherwise, IACS’s scope of interest and activity is
with respect to vessels of over 100 GT of whatever type, self propelled or not,
restricted or unrestricted service; except for "inland waterway" vessels, military
vessels, and other government ships operated for non-commercial purposes.
Composition
4 These are evolving documents and subject to periodical review and update by the
GPG or QC (as appropriate) for Council approval.
B1 GOVERNING DOCUMENTS
Council;
GPG;
QC;
WGs, which are further divided into:
- Panels (currently Environmental Panel, Hull Panel, Machinery Panel,
Safety Panel and Survey Panel) and
- GPG Expert Groups (EGs);
Small Groups reporting to Council, GPG, Panels or QC, set up from time to
time, as necessary;
EGs advising Council, set up from time to time, as necessary;
Project Teams (PTs);
The Permanent Secretariat including the QSCS Operations Centre.
4 There is also an Independent Appeal Board whose terms of reference are given in
Annex 2 to the IACS Charter.
B2.1.1 Membership
1 The Council is the governing body of the Association and consists of one
representative of each Member Society, with voting rights as specified in the IACS
2 The Council shall elect a Chair, by rotation, from among its Members. The term of
office shall be for a period of one year or until the election of the next Chair. The
Chair shall preside at the Council meetings and act as the Principal Officer of the
Association.
3 The established rotation of the Chair is recorded in the Appendix – History of the
Association. New Members of IACS shall take the Chair immediately following the
next Chairmanship of the Member holding office when they were accepted into
Membership.
4 The Council shall also elect a Vice-Chair, by rotation, from among its Members.
The term of office shall be the same as that of the Chair whom the Vice-Chair shall
normally succeed. The immediate past Chair may act as second Vice-Chair, primarily
to facilitate continuity in external relations.
5 The IACS Charter documents, inter alia, the functions of the Council, structure,
meetings, voting, and procedures.
2 The CO will meet at least twice a year, preferably right before the annual Council
meetings and at other times, as unanimously agreed. In addition, the CO may
communicate by telephone, video conference or e-mail from time to time as
necessary. The CO shall report its work to the Council, preferably at the biannual
Council meetings.
(c) to consider where future threats and opportunities for IACS may lie and
how the Association can best navigate these issues.
3 The Chair of the SG/QP shall be nominated and elected from among the Members
of Council participating in the SG/QP. The Chair will normally serve for a period of
three years, with the possibility of extension up to one year.
4 The SG/QP Chair shall act as the representative of the SG/QP to the Council, the
Quality Advisory Committee (AVC) and to such other bodies as may be required and
determined by SG/QP or Council, from time to time.
(a) Advise Council with respect to maintaining an effective IACS Quality Policy
towards continuous improvement of quality standards of classification
societies aiming to improve safety of life at sea, property and the
environment.
(b) Assess the feedback on the implementation of the QSCS scheme, where
independent Accredited Certification Bodies (ACB’s) conduct the audits and
issue the relevant statements of compliance, based on periodic Quality
Management Review (QMR) reports, prepared by the QS and considered by
the QC, in order to facilitate Council’s assessment of its robustness,
consistency and integrity.
(d) Consult the Quality Advisory Committee (AVC) and other interested
Parties on policy related issues and recommend relevant follow-up actions to
Council as deemed appropriate.
(e) Consider the alignment between the IACS QSCS and other quality
management schemes applicable to classification societies and/or recognised
organisations, in order to promote policies intended to enhance their
effectiveness and minimise any burdens.
(f) Promote quality improvement policies among its Members beyond the
strict compliance with the IACS Quality Management System Certification
Scheme (QSCS) requirements.
B2.2.1 Membership
1 GPG shall consist of one representative of each Member Society, with voting rights
as specified in the IACS Charter. There may be additional non-voting members as
specified in the IACS Charter or in the relevant section of these Procedures.
2 The Chair and Vice-Chair shall be nominated by the Member Society holding the
same positions in Council and mirror the same fixed pattern of rotation based on a
one year term.
(a) To develop and implement actions giving effect to the policies, directions
and long term plans of Council and provide advice to Council as necessary on
issues in the maritime field, and initiate action in areas of strategic importance
to the Association.
(b) To ensure that the WG structure is fit for purpose. The creation and
disbandment of WGs is to be specifically subject to approval by Council.
(c) To oversee the work programmes and budgets of the WGs. The annual
budget and any significant variation from which, are to be submitted to
Council for approval.
(f) To deal with high priority work of a general character which cannot be
dealt with by WGs.
(g) To monitor, influence and respond to the activities and work programme
of IMO and other organizations whose work IACS is interested in.
(h) To approve the establishment of any Joint Working Group (JWG) with the
industry on a specific technical topic and monitor the outcome of the JWG and
report to Council, as necessary.
(i) To interact with the Secretary General in the work of administering the
Association.
2 The QC shall consist of one representative per Member Society, with voting rights
as specified in the IACS Charter.
3 The Chairmanship of the QC and the QC’s terms of reference are prescribed in
Volume 3: IACS Quality System Certification Scheme (QSCS).
1 A WG may be a:
B2.4.1 Panels
B2.4.1.1 Membership
1 Each Panel shall be made up of one representative from each Member Society,
with voting rights as specified in the IACS Charter. There may be additional non-
voting members and participants as specified in the IACS Charter or in the relevant
section of these Procedures.
4 The Chairmanship of a Panel shall be considered as the Chair’s primary duty and
the costs associated with the Chairmanship and technical Secretary shall be borne by
the Members in a manner to be determined by GPG. The Panel Chair shall perform
the function in an impartial way and has no voting right. For that reason the Society
having provided the Chair is entitled to nominate a further Panel representative who
has the right to vote.
5 The Panel Chair shall convene and preside over meetings, and shall act as the
representative of the Panel to GPG and the Council.
Environmental Panel
All technical items related to environmental issues, which are addressed
by international instruments e.g. IMO and other bodies on:
- Marine Pollution
- Air Pollution
- Energy use
- All other Environmental issues.
Hull Panel
All technical items related to the structure of ships, other than those
covered by the Survey and Safety Panels, such as:
- Loads and strength
- Materials and welding
- Hull damages.
Machinery Panel
All technical items related to the mechanical, electrical and electronic
systems of ships (electronic navigational equipment excluded), other than
those covered by the Survey, Environmental and the Safety Panel, such
as:
- Propulsion system
- Auxiliary machinery systems
- Electric power generation and distribution system
- Machinery damages.
Safety Panel
All technical items, other than those covered by the other Panels, which
are addressed by international instruments, e.g. IMO and ILO conventions.
Survey Panel
All technical items related to the survey and certification of ships,
components and materials.
B2.4.2.1 Membership
1 Each Member Society shall be entitled to nominate one member to the group, with
voting rights as specified in the IACS Charter. There may be additional non-voting
members and participants as specified in the IACS Charter or in the relevant section
of these Procedures.
2 EGs established for short-term tasks shall be closed when relevant tasks are
completed.
B2.5.1 Membership
2 Small Groups established by the Council may include members from other bodies,
if required and necessary. In such cases, it should preferably be chaired by a Council
member.
1 Small Groups are generally established, for short durations, by Council, GPG,
Panels or QC from amongst their own members to deal expeditiously and efficiently
with a specific task.
3 The Council shall appoint the Secretary General, the Accredited Representative to
IMO, the Representative to EU, the Technical Secretary, and the Quality Secretary
and shall make provision for the appointment of other personnel as may be
necessary to comprise the Permanent Secretariat. The Council shall determine the
terms and conditions of service of the Permanent Secretariat staff. The Secretary
General shall, subject to the following provisions, appoint the necessary staff.
(a) To serve the Association on matters that are necessary for the efficient
discharge of the functions of the Association and its day to day running,
(e) To act as technical secretariat for the main bodies of the Association
(Council and GPG) and assist the Chairmen of Panels in the coordination of
technical activities carried out by Members in Panels and Project Teams, as
well as in Joint Working Groups with industry.
(f) To prepare and submit to the Council the financial statements for each
year and the budget estimates on an annual basis, and to produce periodic
(quarterly) account reports relating to Permanent Secretariat’s work and
technical activities carried out by Members in panels and Project Teams.
(g) To effect invoicing of Members and related controlling on the basis of the
budget as agreed by Council.
(j) To monitor the output from the safety digests and studies produced by
official casualty investigation bodies, such as the UK MAIB, TSB Canada, US
NTSB, USCG, and others and raise any issues of concern or recommendations
with GPG.
1 The Secretary General is the managing director of the service company of the
Association, IACS Ltd, and is directly responsible for the work and efficient day to day
running of the Permanent Secretariat.
(a) provide support to the Council and GPG Chairs in implementing the
policies and strategies adopted and updated on a regular basis by Council
and/or GPG, ensuring a smooth handover and transfer of responsibilities, in
the periodic (annual) rotation of the chairmanship among the Members;
(b) work closely with the Council Chair, during the conduct of Council
meetings and in all relevant exchanges of correspondence with all the other
Council Members, to ensure the effective operation of the Association and the
maintenance of strong working links with the International Maritime
Organisation, International Labour Organisation, international and national
industry associations, and other leading bodies which have responsibility for
world maritime safety, protection of the environment and sustainability
policies;
(c) keep regularly in touch with Council Members and Senior Executives in
each Member Society;
(e) represent the Association in public fora and conferences, and assist the
Chair of Council on public and media relations matters (see C7.2);
(f) keep strong links and close working relationship with the Secretary
Generals or Managing Directors of other industry associations, in assistance to
the Chair of Council;
(h) prepare and submit to Council the financial statements and budget
estimates on an annual basis and do the necessary accounting and invoicing
to address cost sharing among Members and participation by non-Members in
the technical work of the Association (see C8);
(j) keep Council and GPG fully informed of ongoing matters, including any
claims or complaints, recommendations, suggestions, or requests for
consideration by the Association;
(k) assume any other function which may be assigned to him by Council
and/or GPG.
4 The remuneration and other contractual details of the Secretary General shall be
approved by Council prior to the appointment.
(a) establish and maintain contact between IACS and IMO guided by the
policies which the Council develops;
(b) liaise with the IMO Secretary General and the IMO Secretariat on all
matters relevant to IACS;
(c) establish and maintain contact with national administration and NGO
representatives on matters of concern to IACS and advise on the IACS view as
necessary;
(f) attend all IMO meetings of interest to IACS and brief IACS Observers and,
as needed, advise GPG about the possible number and quality of IACS
representatives who might be required with regard to the number of IMO
Working Groups and Drafting Groups in addition to the attendees identified in
C6.1.2 to C6.1.4;
(g) consult with other Members’ staff attending IMO on behalf of national
delegations as may be deemed necessary and represent the IACS view in
plenary;
(i) prepare and transmit reports of IMO meetings to GPG and the
Environmental and Safety Panel Chairs (see C6.1.7);
(j) keep the Council, GPG and Permanent Secretariat and, where appropriate
the Panel Chairs, advised well in advance of developments within IMO of
importance to IACS and to make recommendations on the development of
further work or study;
(m) provide each Member Society with all papers of special interest issued by
IMO in good time for comments;
(o) carry out any additional duties required by the Chair of the Council and/or
the Secretary General.
2 IACS working methods in preparing for, attending and following-up IMO meetings
are further addressed in C6.1.
(c) liaise with ADS Insight using their knowledge and networks;
(d) act as Secretary to EG/EU and to promote and generate the Groups
activities;
(e) interact with EU Commissioners and Cabinet advisors on IACS work and
issues so as to affect EU policy and legislation;
(f) interact with EU MEP’s and Intergroups on IACS work and issues so as to
affect EU policy and legislation;
(g) interact with EU Representative at IMO on IACS work and issues through
and in liaison with IACS Accredited Representative to IMO;
(i) interact with EU Member State governments on IACS work and issues;
(l) carry out any additional duties required by Chair of IACS Council and/or
the Secretary General.
1 The Quality Secretary’s role and responsibilities are detailed in Volume 3: IACS
Quality System Certification Scheme (QSCS).
2 The Quality Secretary, in the discharge of those duties specified in the QSCS, shall
not be directed by the Secretary General.
3 The Quality Secretary shall attend meetings of Council at the request of the Chair
of Council.
a) the GPG Chair and Vice-Chair in the overall coordination and monitoring of the
technical work of the Association and that which is carried out by the Panels and
Expert Groups (as well as small groups if established)
b) the Panel and Expert Group Chairmen in the management of their specific Project
Teams
(a) provide support to the Chairs of Council and GPG , as needed, in preparation
for and follow-up from Council and GPG meetings, providing the draft minutes
of meetings and relevant follow up actions, and in all day-by-day activities,
normally carried out by correspondence, for matters submitted to Council/GPG
consideration and/or approval;
(c) gather information about the activities carried out by Panels and Project
Teams, Expert Groups, with a view to preparing periodic (technical and
administrative) progress reports for GPG consideration and approval;
(d) assist the Panel Chairs to coordinate the technical activities of Panels and
Project Teams, from the management point of view, with a view to improving
their effectiveness and time schedule;
(e) assist the GPG and Panel Chairs and individual Members who participate in
joint working groups with industry, participating at meetings, where needed,
according to GPG instructions;
(f) amend the IACS Procedures and other IACS instruments upon decisions taken
by Council and/or GPG;
(h) carry out any additional duties required by Chairs of IACS Council, GPG and/or
the Secretary General.
1 In the performance of their duties, the Secretary General and the Permanent
Secretariat staff shall not seek or receive instruction from any authority or body
external to the Association. They shall refrain from any action which might reflect
adversely on their position as officials of the Association. Each Member will respect
the impartial nature of the responsibilities of the Permanent Secretariat and will not
seek to influence prejudicially the Permanent Secretariat in the discharge of its
responsibilities.
1 The quorum for any meeting shall be equal to the voting majority required in each
case.
2 The Chair shall convene and preside at the meetings of the respective body.
3 If the Chair is absent from a meeting or is unable to carry out his/her other duties,
the Vice-Chair (if any) shall preside over the meeting or carry out such other duties
as is necessary. If the Chair, for any reason, is unable to continue his/her term of
office, the Vice-Chair (if any) shall act as Chair pending the election of a new Chair.
4 If the Chair and Vice-Chair are both unable to preside at a Meeting, the body shall
elect one of the Members present as the Chair for that meeting.
5 The Secretariat shall prepare, collect and circulate the papers, documents, agenda,
minutes, and information required for the work of the body.
6 After each meeting, the Chair, with the assistance of the relevant Secretariat, shall
prepare and submit a report or minutes of meeting to all members of the body.
7 In addition to any meetings, all bodies conduct their business throughout the year,
by email correspondence.
C2.1 VOTING
1 In accordance with 4.13 of the IACS Charter, unless otherwise provided, all
decisions of the Council to be adopted at meetings or by correspondence shall require
the agreement of three-quarters of all Council members entitled to vote.
1 In addition to the provisions of the IACS Charter, the following procedures apply:
(a) The regular Summer meeting will normally be held in the Chair society’s
country and shall be for the attendance of Council members, GPG members,
Secretary General, Accredited Representative to IMO, QC Chair, and
Permanent Secretariat staff as necessary.
(b) The regular Winter meeting will normally be held in London and shall be
for the attendance of Council members, the Chair and Vice-Chair of GPG,
Secretary General, Accredited Representative to IMO, and Permanent
Secretariat staff as necessary.
(d) Generally, no new item shall be added to the agenda later than two
weeks before the meeting. Reports, etc. shall be made available to the
(e) The Council shall review the report by GPG on the activities of each WG
and its work programme for the ensuing year, indicating appropriate priority if
necessary. The Council shall examine all conclusions or proposals submitted
by GPG on the activities and budgets of the WGs and take decisions as
appropriate.
(f) Council shall review the distribution of responsibility for chairing the QC,
Panels and the EGs amongst the Members - normally at three-year intervals.
1 Decisions by the SG/QP shall be taken by Council Members and the QC Chair
participating in the meeting as members of the SG/QP, when required. If a
consensus cannot be achieved, the Chair of the SG/QP may report the different
opinions of SG/QP Members to Council for its deliberations.
2 The SG/QP normally meets twice per year in preparation of the June and
December Council meetings. Additional meetings may be called by the Council or the
Chairman of the SG/QP subject to agreement of its Members.
(b) Meetings of the SG/QP will be held, unless otherwise agreed, under the
auspices of the SG/QP Chairing Society.
(c) The SG/QP Chair shall be responsible for preparing the minutes of
meetings and presenting SG/QP reports, coordinated with the QS’ and QC’s
reports on quality issues to Council.
3 The SG/QP Chair shall attend periodic IACS meetings with the AVC.
4 The SG/QP Chair shall track all actions arising out of decisions of the SG/QP
meetings and relevant Council instructions / Follow-Up Actions (FUA’s).
C3.1 VOTING
1 The provisional agenda for each meeting shall be prepared by the Permanent
Secretariat in consultation with the Chair and members. Generally, no new item shall
be added to the agenda later than two weeks before the meeting. Reports, etc., shall
be made available to the Secretariat in good time so that meeting papers can be
circulated electronically not later than 10 days before the meeting.
(a) review the annual progress reports of the Panels and the EGs which
report to GPG submitted in accordance with C4.2.7 and decide as necessary;
(c) review the approved current cost sharing budget, and prepare the cost
sharing budget for the following year for Council approval.
3 Panel Chairs should normally attend those parts of the regular Autumn GPG
meeting which are relevant to Panel Work.
(a) receive a brief interim report (which shall be submitted in accordance with
C4.2.7) on the status of tasks in progress focusing on deviations from original
plans;
(b) update the work plan and the individual work programmes; and
(c) review and adjust the approved cost sharing budget for the current year.
5 If the GPG Chair's review of the agenda of the meeting and the interim Panel
reports demonstrates the need for further advice during the meeting, the Chairs of
the Panels may be invited by the GPG Chair to attend the relevant parts of the
regular Spring GPG meeting. Alternatively, a GPG Member or a Panel Chair may
propose such attendance, which is subject to agreement by GPG.
6 After each meeting, the Chair, with the assistance of the Permanent Secretariat,
and, if necessary, of the Vice Chair, shall prepare and submit a report or Minutes of
Meeting to all participants. This shall be presented by the GPG Chair to the following
Council meeting.
(1) scanning the regulatory horizon and responding to issues to determine the best
technical policy for the Association, and
(2) managing the production work carried out by IACS WGs reporting to GPG,
the workload is shared between Chairman and Vice-Chairman of GPG, the latter
having been delegated the responsibilities for managing the production work in IACS
WGs. This allows the Chairman of GPG to concentrate on specific priority technical
work items on WG’s work programme as identified, inter alia, by the Vice-Chairman.
The meeting should be structured to address (1) the general aspects of IACS
technical work in the Panels, within GPG and in respect of the support
necessary and provided by the Permanent Secretariat, and (2) specific task
management based on the quarterly reporting by the Panels to GPG.
The report from this meeting to the GPG autumn meeting should contain
specific recommendations on both areas.
The Vice Chairman is to follow up the work programme already set up, monitor the
sub-processes, and coordinate and facilitate, as needed, the work done by the WGs
in these cases but without taking over the role of WG Chair. All correspondence
concerning such items is to be copied by the WG Chairs to the GPG Vice Chair.
1 Unless otherwise stated the required voting majority is two-thirds of the members
of the body entitled to vote. In the case of approval by a WG of new or revised
Unified Requirements, Unified Interpretations, Procedural Requirements, an explicit
two-thirds majority is required. The approval of amendments to the Common
Structural Rules requires the explicit agreement without reservation of three-quarters
of all IACS Members entitled to vote, including at least eight of the IACS Members
that are parties to the Common Structural Rules for Bulk Carriers and Double-Hull Oil
Tankers – Copyright Ownership Agreement.
2 Autumn Panel meetings shall be held at least three weeks before the scheduled
date of Autumn GPG meeting in order to allow Panel Chairs to submit to GPG their
progress reports at least two weeks before the scheduled date of the Autumn GPG
meeting in accordance with C4.2.7.1.
3 Normally, the meetings of WG’s should be held at the Head Office of the Society
holding the WG Chair.
1 WGs are to deal with the tasks on the work programme which may be initiated by
Council, GPG or the WG itself through GPG and include but not be limited to the
following:
(b) monitor and, to the extent deemed necessary, participate in the work of
organizations (e.g. IMO, International Labour Organization (ILO),
International Organization for Standardization (ISO), International
Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), International Council for Combustion
Engines (CIMAC), etc.) relating to the field of competence of the group and to
report to GPG.
(c) identify issues relating to its field of competence and propose IACS action
to GPG.
2 The respective group is responsible for addressing, monitoring and resolving all
technical issues within the field of its competence. To this end it shall define
technical tasks and related time-frames for approval or acceptance by GPG.
3 To allow GPG to monitor the overall work programme of the Panels, each quarter
each Panel Chair is to email its current programme to GPG and the Permanent
Secretariat, indicating for each item whether it is a ‘TC Forum’ work item or not (see
C4.2.2 below). The third-quarter report will be a full Progress Report to the autumn
GPG meeting in the format in D1.3.2 and the remaining three interim quarterly
reports will be in the format in D1.3.3. The first-quarter report will be an interim
report to the spring GPG meeting and the other two interim reports will be submitted
mid summer and mid winter. Refer to the following table.
1 A WG task / technical work item may be initiated by Council, GPG or within the WG
itself.
2 When a proposal for a new task / technical work item is initiated within the WG
and agreed to by a two-thirds majority and when it may be dealt with by the WG
itself within the approved budget, the task / technical work item specification ‘Form
A’ (see D1.1.1) is to be sent to GPG for record and monitoring. For tasks / technical
work items requiring a PT (see C4.2.3.3, below), both Form A and Form 1 (see
C4.2.3.3 and D1.1.2) shall be submitted to GPG for approval. Tasks / technical work
items initiated by a WG which, in the opinion of the WG may have significant policy
or political implications should be brought to the attention of GPG by the Chair of the
WG.
3 Otherwise, proposals for new work are to be submitted to GPG through GPG
Members or the WG Chair. Proposals must contain:
- a clear description of the issue;
- justification for IACS to do the work, and the consequences if it is not
done; and
- any other information which will assist in defining the task to be
performed, in assigning it to the appropriate group, and in assigning a
priority to the work.
4 GPG will approve or disapprove the new task / technical work item, and assign it
to the appropriate WG or deal with the issue itself.
5 For a new task / technical work item initiated by Council or GPG, the Form A (and
Form 1, if any) drafted by the WG shall be approved by GPG.
6 The WG Chair is to advise GPG in cases where a Form A or Form 1 was adopted by
a two-thirds majority or greater but not unanimously, with a brief summary of the
dissenting Societies’ reasons. Forms A and Forms 1 are to be updated by PermSec
following GPG approval (both the initial approval and any subsequent approval of
further modifications following periodical GPG reviews) and then forwarded to the
relevant WG to proceed with the task. Updated Forms A and Forms 1 are to be copied
to GPG.
7 Some tasks / technical work items may concern topics covered by more than one
WG. In that case a lead Panel, designated by GPG, is to establish a PT made up of
members covering the expertise of all disciplines concerned. The lead Panel is to be
responsible for the work of such an interdisciplinary PT and coordinate the work with
the other Panels concerned. The lead Panel is to report the results to GPG and
disband the interdisciplinary PT.
8 As a general principle, the following should originate from the Member society,
which suggested a new work programme item:
9 The procedure for budgeting, monitoring and accounting of work group cost
sharing is shown in C8.2.
2 Publication advises all interested parties (such as flag Administrations and Industry
Associations) of the programme and offers them the possibility of commenting
through the Permanent Secretariat or individual Societies. See C4.2.4.
3 The Forum provides non-IACS classification societies with a direct platform for
publication of comments and discussion with other classification societies (IACS
Members and non-IACS) relating to IACS' technical work programmes. See C4.3.1.
1 Instructions to the Panel and EG Chairs should come only from the GPG
Chair/Council Chair. However the means of transmitting such instructions can vary
and may include either a direct message from the GPG Chair or the Vice Chair (if
within the scope of C3.3 The role of the Vice Chair) or through the Permanent
Secretariat which is there to assist both the GPG Chair and Panel and EG Chairs.
2 The Panel and EG Chairs are free to communicate with each other directly if this
would facilitate the development process. If there is a need to send a request to
action a task or provide information from one Panel/EG Chair to another, the
requesting Chair shall always set a deadline for reply in the message requesting an
input from another Panel/EG. If differing views between the two Panel Chairs arise,
the GPG Chair or Vice Chair should be brought in to resolve the situation with
assistance from Permanent Secretariat.
1 WGs develop their work programmes under the overall control of GPG. They
should feel free to discuss problems or questions relating to any assignment with
GPG. Where possible, this should be done informally between the Chair of the group
and the GPG Member of his/her own society. Problems should be aired and resolved
at an early date.
3 The WG Chair shall assign responsibility for creating a first draft of a technical
Resolution to:
- a PT or
- an individual or
- a small group of WG members or
- the group itself.
4 The availability of the first draft triggers the possibility of participation in its
development by all member societies and by non-IACS classification societies; thus it
is to be posted on the website Technical Contributions Forum as indicated in C.4.3.
5 Panels shall meet, in principle, twice a year. EGs may meet at intervals of about
one year. Additional meetings shall be kept to the minimum, but may be permitted if
GPG considers it necessary and appropriate. Unless otherwise specifically agreed to
by the Council and/or GPG, provisions in this section shall in principle apply to
additional meetings. Panel Chairmen are to organize their Panel meetings such that
the budgeting and reporting cycle and the work programme of the coming calendar
year are decided at the meetings.
3 The PT shall be chaired by a Project Manager, and shall consist of experts with the
necessary knowledge, experience, and authorisation to perform the tasks. The
number of team members should be kept to the minimum necessary to ensure
efficient completion of the assigned task(s), and is not to exceed four including the
PM unless additional expertise is needed. In general, duplication of expertise should
be avoided and a Member Society should not have more than one representative in a
PT. The establishment of “one man” PT is allowed for short term tasks and tasks of
mainly editorial nature; and the use of “one man” PT is encouraged when this
improves the efficiency and reduces the costs.
4 The PT shall carry out as much work as possible through correspondence and
through workshops held at venues selected to minimise the total travel costs of the
members. The host society shall provide the necessary facilities and support for the
workshops.
5 PTs may meet as agreed in the approved project plan. However it should be noted
that it is not mandatory for PTs to meet although there will be occasions when a
meeting is the most effective method of dealing with the work.
6 Any Members who do not directly participate in the PT should not intervene in its
work until the work is completed within the PT.
8 In order to (i) propose the establishment of a PT; (ii) bring it into operation; (iii)
evaluate the achieved results; and (iv) enable expenses to be shared, the procedure
below shall be followed:
(b) In case there are more nominations than required by the list of
specializations of the draft Form A, and considering that the Project Manager
is responsible for the successful completion of the task, the Project Manager
shall review the CVs of the volunteers and make a recommendation to the
Panel regarding the individuals he/she considers necessary to complete the
task. The Panel Chair, with the advice of the Project Manager, shall decide the
final composition of the PT which will take into account the distribution of
participation of Members in existing PTs.
(c) The Panel shall define the requirements for liaison, reporting and work
product reviews that shall apply to the PT when interfacing with the Panel.
(d) The Project Manager shall complete the Form 1, stating the PT objectives,
membership, host society, work specification, liaison and reporting
requirements, work product review requirements, estimated schedule of
workshops and milestones, deliverables, deadlines and detailed (not-to-
exceed) budget estimate.
(e) The Project Manager shall submit Form 1 to the Panel for consideration.
Once the Panel has accepted the Form 1, the Panel shall submit it, together
with the associated Form A to GPG for approval.
(f) If the submitted Form A and/or Form 1 is not approved by GPG, the Panel
Chair should invite the Panel Members to propose the necessary amendments
to address GPG’s concerns. If the Panel members are unable to reach a
conclusion, the Panel Chair may propose amendments for Panel approval and
resubmission to GPG. If the Panel is still unable to reach agreement the
matter shall be referred to GPG.
(h) On completion of its assigned task, the PT’s final work on a first draft
document shall be reviewed by the Panel, which shall decide whether the
objectives stated in Form A and Form 1 have been achieved. To facilitate
technical review by the Panel, the Project Manager shall, in a timely manner,
provide additional information or clarification if so requested by the Panel
Chair or Panel members. If the PT is not unanimous in its conclusions, the PT
is to submit a report of its discussions for further consideration by the Panel.
9 To supplement the above, the Chair of the Panel concerned should advise the
Project Manager and the PT members as below.
10 The Panel Chair shall manage the Progress Reports of all PTs allocated to them,
amalgamating these within the Panel’s annual progress reports to GPG, see C4.2.7.
C4.2.3.4 Operational instructions from Panel Chairs to Project Team (PT) Managers
and Members
1 General
The Project Manager shall provide PT members with a copy of the relevant
Form 1 in order to inform them of the work specifications assigned and the
approved budget.
The Project Manager shall verify that each PT member participates actively
and in a timely manner in the PT’s work; any lack of participation shall be
communicated to the Panel Chair in time for corrective action to be pursued.
To accomplish this, all correspondence should have a standard format for the
subject header. In particular:
3 Administrative instruction
The hours to be accounted for are those directly spent on the project (hours
spent for travelling shall not be counted).
At the completion of the PT task, the Project Manager shall endorse the most
updated Form 2 and submit it to the Panel Chair copying to their respective
Panel Member and GPG Member along with the other PT deliverables (report,
other documents, etc.).
Form 2 can be found under D1.1.3 in the IACS General Procedures (IACS
Procedures, Volume 1).
[signed]
Panel Chair.
*******
1 The exchange of information between any outside organizations and the WGs may
be permitted by GPG and directed through the Panel or EG Chair, though any
outcome of the WGs shall be kept confidential, in general, until so decided by GPG.
2 Where the Panel or EG finalize an issue, the Chair shall submit the outcome to
GPG for review and approval or adoption, complemented, in the case of technical
Resolutions, by a History File and Technical Background (TB) document D1.2. Before
submitting conclusions to GPG for approval or adoption, it is recommended to make
sure, as far as possible, that, where required, the conclusions are likely to be ratified
by the governing body of each Member Society.
1 Each Chair of a Panel and EG shall prepare and submit to GPG a report on the
progress of the group once a year, with a copy to Permanent Secretariat, at least two
weeks before the scheduled date of the autumn GPG meeting. The procedure and
standard format of Annual Progress Report of WGs contained in D1.3.2 is to be used.
3 Quarterly reports, a brief interim report to the spring GPG meeting being part
thereof, is to be submitted to GPG in the format given in D1.3.3.
4 The Panel budgets and accounts are to be submitted to GPG in accordance with
C8.2. It should be noted that the Panels’ deadlines are earlier than those for the
reports above.
5 The Panel Chairs should normally attend the autumn GPG meeting and may attend
the spring meeting if invited by the GPG Chair. In the oral presentation of the Annual
Progress Reports of their Panels at the Autumn GPG meeting, the Panel Chairs shall
focus only on tasks to be prolonged and matters for GPG special attention reported in
sections A.3.3 and B.4 of the Annual Progress Report.
2 In order to participate under this section an organisation must first establish that it
is a “Classification Society” as defined in the IACS Charter, Annex 4 and in
accordance with the guidance and procedures given in IACS Procedures, Volume 2:
Procedures concerning requirements for Membership of IACS.
Publicly
Accessible to Members and
accessible -
interested CSs -
Visible to any
Information posted on TC Visible to non-member CSs who
interested
Forum have applied for access, been
party who
reviewed, granted access by IACS,
visits TC Forum
and paid annual subscription fee
website
a. Current IACS Work
Programme assigned to
Yes Yes
each WG and leading to
IACS Resolutions.
b. Summary and posting
date of each Work Yes Yes
Programme Task.
c. Deleted
d. Work Programme Item
No Yes
related to Task *1
e. Initial draft of a new
or revised technical IACS No Yes
Resolution *1
f. Deadline for comments
on initial draft document No Yes
*1
g. All comments
voluntarily posted to TC No Yes
Forum on each Item *1
h. Final Item closure
statement by moderator No Yes
*1
1 The Terms of Service are given in D3.2 and posted with the Forum on the website.
1.7 (f)
All IACS Members and non-IACS CSs Such contributions are to be calculated
which participate in a WG shall bear by the Permanent Secretariat on the
their own costs of their employees’ basis of each WG’s Chairmanship costs
participation in the WG and shall make divided by the number of the WG’s
a reasonable and proportionate work items. The costs of any PTs are
contribution to the running expenses of not included.
the WG.
3 The WG Chair should welcome the new NM representative and express her/his
appreciation for the expected contribution to IACS work.
5 If there are any problems arising regarding acceptance of the NM’ s request for
participation, the NM’ s representative is to make these known to the WG Chair with
a view to finding an agreeable solution in accordance with Annex 3, 1.7(d) of the
IACS Charter where the grievance procedure is described.
6 During the working period the NM’ s representative is to be treated like any IACS
Member’s representative in carrying out the concerned technical work item in that
WG on a non-discriminatory basis. The WG Chair is to summarise all views
expressed by the WG participants in the History File document accompanying the
IACS Resolution when it is concluded by the IACS Members within the WG and
forwarded to GPG or Council for consideration for adoption. In cases where a formal
vote is required, NMs’ representatives do not have a formal vote in the WG with
respect to taking technical decisions on the content of a Resolution or in deciding
whether to send the Resolution forward for consideration by GPG or Council.
7 Upon completion of the technical work item, the WG Chair is to report to GPG
including notification that the technical work item is finalized, that no further work is
carried out on the technical work item and that the technical work item is no longer
chargeable.
Objective
Background
2 FSA is a rational and systematic process for assessing the risks relating to
maritime safety and the protection of the marine environment and for evaluating the
costs and benefits of IMO’s options for reducing these risks.
3 The use of FSA is consistent with, and should provide support to, the IMO
decision-making process. IACS may be asked by IMO to carry out FSA studies, or
IACS may decide to carry out its own FSA with the purpose of improving IACS URs or
UIs or IMO regulations.
4 The IACS member society keeps files on all ships it classes covering the
documentation required by its Rules. Reports will not be disclosed to any party,
apart from the national or administrative or judicial authorities involved, without the
owner’s consent.
Approach
5 For the purpose of carrying out an FSA, IACS will establish a project team (PT),
with a PT leader.
7 In analyzing accident and incident data from available databases, there may be
relevant data in the classification files. These data may be used by the PT subject to:
(a) Agreement to use the information in the files has been reached with the
owner (C4.4.1);
(b) The PT members that are granted access to the files have signed a
confidentiality declaration (C4.4.2);
(c) The information retrieved from the files shall only be used for statistical
purposes;
(d) No names or ID numbers of specific ships shall be presented in the final
FSA report.
8 The classification society holding the files is responsible for receiving permission
from the owner, e.g. by using the attached model letter (C4.4.1).
10 The IACS Permanent Secretariat is to archive, and maintain in confidence, one full
copy of the documents used for the FSA for 15 years after completion of the FSA.
Owner
Date
FSA is a rational and systematic process for assessing the risks relating to
maritime safety and the protection of the marine environment and for
evaluating the costs and benefits of IMO’s options for reducing these risks.
The IACS Project Team (PT) that is currently carrying out this work may,
during the process of carrying out the FSA, wish to analyze data in the files
relating to ships owned by [‘Name of owner’s company’].
As member of the Project Team I may receive information from other member
societies’ files that the owner has agreed to make available for the project
team, according to IACS Procedures, Volume 1, C4.4, FSA Studies – Procedure
for the exchange of data.
I hereby declare that information received will be used only within the scope
of the FSA/YYY, and that all information received will be destroyed on
completion of the FSA/YYY which is the case when it is accepted by GPG.
PT Member Name
Society
C5 IACS RESOLUTIONS
3 The full text of all adopted Resolutions, with their History File and TB documents,
shall be posted on the IACS website and distributed to Members.
4 IACS shall relinquish its copyright protection on the condition that a reference to
the source of information is to be made where those IACS Resolutions are
reproduced partly or wholly in documents or publications. See D3.4.
5 The IACS website is to carry a statement that non-IACS classification societies are
free to use such material, royalty free and without licence, by embedding it in their
own classification rules, notwithstanding any intellectual property rights that may be
held by IACS Members and that IACS and IACS Ltd place no restriction on their
individual freedom to enter into any agreement with any classification society in
relation to the provision of further information or assistance with regard to the
application of IACS Resolutions.
4 Reservations: Since each Member has its own Governing Body and serves
different clients, a situation may arise where certain aspects not foreseen during the
draft UR development process, or external review, are found unsuitable to the
Governing Body of a Member Society. In such a case, that Society is obliged to
notify GPG forthwith of the situation by declaring a reservation to all or part of the
UR. In doing so, the Society concerned is to identify all or part of the UR (e.g. by
paragraph number or numbers) for which a reservation is found necessary and
provide technical reasons for the reservation, using the Form X contained in D1.4.1.
When a Member Society chooses not to offer classification for the type of ship or
maritime structure addressed by a UR, or group of URs, it shall be reported as N/A
(not applicable) using the Form Z contained in D1.4.3.
5 The expected date of coming-into-force for each Member Society of adopted URs
shall be communicated to GPG, using the Form Y contained in D1.4.2.
6 Each year the Permanent Secretariat shall circulate a summary of the current
status of implementation by the Members of all adopted URs and their incorporation
into their Rules. It shall be published in the IACS Blue Book and by posting on the
IACS web site.
8 URs applicable to ships covered by Common Structural Rules as well as other ships
are to be treated according to the Common Structural Rule Maintenance Procedures
as defined in Volume 4: Procedures for the maintenance and harmonisation of the
Common Structural Rules.
9 The Procedure for the development and implementation of IACS URs is given in
C5.2.1 and 5.2.2.
1 Common Rules are IACS URs covering broad areas of classification requirements
which, once adopted, shall be applied by all Members without the possibility of
reservations.
3 As defined in Annex 4 of the IACS Charter, IACS Common Structural Rules (CSR)
are a comprehensive set of minimum requirements for the classification of the hull
structures of double-hull oil tankers and bulk carriers, in relation to which the
contract for construction was signed on or after 1 April 2006.
4 The procedure for the maintenance, harmonization and further development of the
Common Structural Rules for Double Hull Oil Tankers and Bulk Carriers is covered by
Volume 4: Procedures for the maintenance and harmonisation of the Common
Structural Rules.
3 UIs shall be applied by Member Societies to ships whose flag Administration has
not issued definite instructions on the interpretation of the Regulations concerned.
4 The Procedure for the development and implementation of IACS UIs is given in
C5.2.1 and 5.2.3.
2 Requirements under this category are to be followed by Members and, for parts of
some PRs, by the Permanent Secretariat.
3 PRs adopted shall be incorporated in the practices and procedures of the Members
within the periods agreed by GPG.
4 The Procedure for the development and implementation of PRs is given in C5.2.1
and 5.2.4.
1 This section refers specifically to the development and implementation of URs, UIs
and PRs. The development of other publications (e.g. Recommendations and
Guidelines), except Common Structural Rules, should follow similar principles as far
as practicable, taking into account their non-mandatory nature. The procedure for
the development and maintenance of Common Structural Rules is given in Volume 4:
Procedures for the maintenance and harmonisation of the Common Structural Rules.
C5.2.1 General
11 Clarity: All Resolutions should be developed with unambiguous words which can
be easily interpreted and implemented by all in a uniform manner.
(b) the contents meet the defined objective (in general, GPG should not
undertake in-depth technical discussions on the results achieved by Panels);
(c) all required co-ordination with other WGs has been made;
(d) the Resolution is clear and capable of uniform application by all societies
in practice;
(f) there are other political or policy ramifications pertaining to the Resolution
which need be addressed by GPG or Council. If so, GPG should develop a plan
of action for doing so.
(a) find ways to eliminate Reservations, (in the case of URs and if any), and
maximise uniform implementation;
(b) ascertain that the Resolution is suitable for the latest developments in
technology;
1 Panel Chairs are to strive to identify and eliminate possible Reservations to URs at
the development stage while also striving to develop URs which will be uniformly
implemented in practice.
2 Where practicable, GPG may decide to circulate a draft UR for review or discussion
with the Members’ governing bodies prior to adoption in order to minimise the
likelihood of later Reservations.
3 Application date: The uniform application date for URs is normally to be either 1
January or 1 July with the year to be decided in each case based on the Members’
rule change cycles and relevant external considerations, and usually the period
between the date of the URs adopted by GPG and the implementation date of the
URs is not to be shorter than one year. In exceptional circumstances, when it is
necessary to introduce a UR rapidly, a different uniform application date may be
(b) In cases where GPG concludes, based on the nature of the UR and the
Reservation(s) against it, that it should not be adopted as a UR with stated
Reservation(s), the UR, in total or those parts not unanimously agreed, may
be adopted as a Recommendation or some other course of action taken that
GPG concludes to be appropriate.
2 For regulations already in force, when the need for an IACS UI is identified by a
Member Society, the Society's representative on the relevant IACS Panel, or the
Society's GPG member where no relevant Panel exists, is to raise the matter directly
to the Panel or GPG, respectively. The initiator should propose a draft UI stating the
regulation to be interpreted, the proposed IACS interpretation, and a proposed
uniform implementation date (i.e. a complete draft of the proposed UI), and a draft
TB.
Submission to GPG
6 It is the responsibility of Members to identify issues at the Panel level which will
have a potential to block the uniform application of a UI. It is the responsibility of
the Panel to consider necessary actions and recommend them to GPG.
7 For a version of the UI for which two-thirds majority support could not be achieved
within the target date, the Chair of the relevant Panel is to promptly revise the draft
UI taking account of comments received with the objective of achieving at least a
two-thirds majority support for the revised draft and circulate the revision for
agreement of the Panel.
8 For those UIs for which at least a two-thirds majority agreement is achieved within
the target date and no strong disagreement with a potential to block the uniform
application of the UI has been expressed, the Chair of the Panel is to send the UI and
TB, containing a summary of the dissenting comments by each dissenting Society, if
any, to GPG for adoption.
9 Where there is a possibility for a strong disagreement from one or two members
with a potential to block the uniform application of the UI:
(a) the disagreeing member(s) is to clearly define the problem and submit
technical justification for its position together with the proposed resolution;
(b) the Panel is to attempt to solve the problem without forcing the decision
on to a member by a two-thirds majority rule;
In case the internal review has not proven successful the Panel is to consider
addressing the problem by, inter alia:
11 Where unanimous agreement is not achieved while adopting the UI, at GPG level,
the dissenting Member Society or Member Societies may request explicit
consideration of their views by Council.
(c) If an IACS UI is rejected by IMO, the rejected parts of the UI are either to
be withdrawn or, if desirable and practicable, amended to obviate IMO’s
objections and resubmitted to IMO.
2 Prior to final adoption by GPG, the PRs are to be transmitted to the QC for an
auditability review (see below) to ensure that the PR can be audited. On completion
of their review of the PRs, QC submits their comments to GPG for consideration. The
developing WG shall consider and adopt, as applicable, the comments of the QC,
respond to QC about actions taken, all prior to submitting the PR to GPG for
adoption.
3 Auditability Review means identifying in the document under review, the following:
(e) any other issue relevant to ensure that the texts can be audited.
4 If in the course of the auditability review the QC considers that the document
under review:
(b) includes unnecessary requirements which do not add value to the intent
of the document; or
(c) that requirements are missing which are important to meet the
document's intent;
1 The principles embodied in this section shall be applied also for specifying the
mandatory or non-mandatory nature of all the provisions in IACS Resolutions, not
only for making a reference.
3 In IACS resolutions, making reference may change the status of the relevant
provision in the referred instrument for the purpose of the resolution. However, the
reference will not change the status of the referred instrument itself.
4 Any reference which makes the referred instrument mandatory for the purpose of
the resolution shall be made in the main text, and not in a Note or a footnote of the
resolution.
5 To avoid misunderstanding, the words “refer to” or “reference is made to” should
generally be avoided since they could imply a mandatory application where none is
intended, or vice versa.
6 A Member that has a declared reservation against a referred UR shall, for clarity,
also make a reservation to the reference in another UR that makes the former UR
mandatory requirements.
7 Taking the above into account, the following ways of making reference in IACS
resolutions will prevail.
Mandatory
Non-mandatory
(a) to delete the IACS Resolution concerned or, where only part of it is
covered by an IMO technical Resolution, the application of which is
internationally mandatory, to modify the remaining part into a revised IACS
Resolution of an appropriate category.
2 Once typeset, each approved Resolution is to be posted on the IACS website (and
the RSS feed activated) following which it is to be circulated by the Permanent
Secretariat to GPG members with a reference number in the format RESYYYYNNN,
where YYYY refers to the year of circulation and NNN relates to the number of
documents that have been circulated that year, e.g. RES2009001 would be applied to
the first document circulated in 2009.
3 After circulation to GPG the Blue Book is to be updated with the approved
Resolution.
6 Records are to be kept of the dates on which the resolution is approved, published
on the website and circulated.
C6 EXTERNAL RELATIONS
C6.1.1 General
3 In considering the IMO long term Issues, IACS should assess its possible
involvement and the effects this involvement may have on its work.
4 In the context of the above the following points should be kept in mind:
(b) speedy consideration and conclusion on matters which have been already
adopted by IMO in its work programme;
(d) where appropriate consultation should take place with experts of other
Members prior to and during IMO meetings with the purpose of ensuring the
best course of action both from the technical and tactical point of view; to this
effect IACS experts in National Delegations should make themselves known to
the Accredited Representative to IMO;
(e) the Accredited Representative to IMO with his/her expertise is free to act
on matters of minor importance or those brought up during the meeting which
could not be anticipated and for which no preparation was made;
(f) to minimise the need for unprepared reactions Members taking part in
meetings of National Administrations should advise when new or
consequential proposals are likely to be made at IMO which are of interest to
IACS;
1 Meetings of MSC and MEPC will normally be attended by the Chair and Vice-Chair
of GPG, the Accredited Representative and, as appropriate, the Secretary General
and the Safety Panel Chair (MSC) or the Environmental Panel Chair (MEPC).
Members are encouraged to volunteer IACS experts to the IACS delegation having
regard to the number of IMO Working and Drafting Groups which will be involved at
that particular meeting and the expertise desirable in representing IACS at these
meetings.
1 The timely submission of IACS papers to the IMO Secretariat is essential. The IMO
Secretariat will not allow late submissions. It is therefore vital to progress the
development of IMO papers in a timely manner. In the absence of exceptional
circumstances (as agreed by Chair of Council/GPG – depending on the issue being
2 The body within IACS that initiates a draft IACS submission to an IMO meeting
shall ensure that, before the paper is sent to any other IACS bodies for approval, it
complies with the IMO agreed format (including all entries required to be completed
in the Summary box) and that the process of securing any desired or necessary co-
sponsorship of the paper has started. The Accredited Representative shall be
contacted at an early stage of development of the draft IACS submission (e.g. when
circulating the first draft to the members for comments) to seek assistance in the
drafting and co-sponsorship seeking processes, if any, before sending the draft IACS
submission to GPG or Council (as appropriate) for approval.
4 The Accredited Representative will review all papers submitted to an IMO meeting
(IACS and non-IACS).
5 On the basis of this review, the Accredited Representative will commission briefing
from any IACS representatives who have participated in Correspondence Groups that
are reporting to an IMO meeting. The Accredited Representative will also
commission any necessary briefing from the Chair of any relevant IACS bodies, such
as Panels and EGs, and will assign the responsibility to review an IMO document to
one Working Group only, taking into account that such WG can ask for input from
other WGs, if necessary.
6 A briefing paper on an issue exclusively within its remit can be prepared and
approved by the Safety or Environmental Panel on a matter being considered at an
IMO Sub-Committee if the Panel unanimously agrees both that the issues in the
briefing paper are of a technical nature and do not infringe on matters of policy; and
the content of the briefing paper. In all other instances briefing papers will be
approved by GPG, or Council if appropriate and in the absence of exceptional
circumstances (as agreed by Chair of Council/GPG – depending on the issue being
considered – in consultation with the Accredited Representative), any draft IACS
position should be submitted for such approval by the chair of the IACS body that
developed it, at least five working days before the start of the relevant IMO meeting.
7 If any Working Group agrees unanimously that no IACS agreed position need be
developed, no endorsement of this decision need be sought from GPG; however, the
Accredited Representative should be advised so that it can be noted in the briefing
paper mentioned below.
8 The Accredited Representative will prepare a written briefing paper for each IMO
meeting. This will consolidate those approved briefs produced as above and indicate
the agreed IACS position on any agenda item and related paper. For all IMO
meetings, the Accredited Representative’s briefing papers will be sent to the Chair of
GPG – and the Chair of Council depending on the issues being considered - at least 3
working days before the start of the IMO meeting. In general, it is to be understood
(a) the IACS Accredited Observer to IMO, should be requested to provide his best
assessment to the Panel/EG on where the submission/position is likely to be
addressed (plenary or an IMO Group);
(b) if it is determined with a good deal of certainty that the IACS submission/position
will be addressed in plenary, the Panel/EG will proceed with developing the draft
IACS interpretation/paper/agreed position and corresponding
statement/comments/intervention to be included in the IACS brief; otherwise, the
instigator will be requested to nominate a representative for the IMO Group that will
have a deal with the matter;
(d) if no volunteer is nominated by the Panel/EG and the Panel/EG Chairman or IACS
representative to the CG is not available for the IMO Group, the IACS Accredited
Observer to IMO will be requested to advise the Panel/EG whether anyone of the
IACS PermSec staff is available for the IMO Group; and
(e) if no IACS representative is available for the IMO Group, the Panel/EG may
proceed with developing a draft IACS agreed position that is succinct enough to be
effectively introduced in the plenary discussion before the IMO Group is established,
bearing in mind further clarification of/support for the point(s) raised will not be
made in the IMO Group. In particular, consideration should be given to developing
such comments in a way that they can readily be taken into account in the ToR for
the IMO Group being established. If this way forward is not practicable, then the
subject should be concluded without any further discussion.
(b) if it is determined with a good deal of certainty that the IACS position will be
addressed in plenary, the Panel/EG will proceed with developing the draft agreed
position/comments to be included in the IACS brief; otherwise, Members will be
invited to indicate their willingness/readiness to nominate candidates for the IMO
Group (on a rotation basis so that everyone is engaged);
(c) if no volunteer is nominated by the Panel/EG and the Panel/EG Chairman or IACS
representative to the CG is not available for the IMO Group, the IACS Accredited
Observer to IMO will be requested to advise the Panel/EG whether anyone of the
IACS PermSec staff is available for the IMO Group; and
(d) if no IACS representative is available for the IMO Group, the Panel/EG may
proceed with developing a draft IACS agreed position that is succinct enough to be
effectively introduced in the plenary discussion before the IMO Group is established,
bearing in mind further clarification of/support for the point(s) raised will not be
made in the IMO Group. In particular, consideration should be given to developing
such comments in a way that they can readily be taken into account in the ToR for
the IMO Group being established. If this way forward is not practicable, then the
subject should be concluded without any further discussion.
1 Any representative attending an IMO meeting is expected to report to, and liaise
with, the Accredited Representative.
3 On the first morning of the IMO meeting, copies of the briefing paper will be made
available at a pre-meeting of those IACS representatives attending the IMO meeting
either on behalf of IACS or Member States. This pre-meeting may also permit the
IACS Accredited Representative to determine where there may be support for, or
opposition to, the IACS positions from among the Administrations or other Observer
Organizations. It is to be understood that any representative making a contribution
to an IMO meeting – either in plenary or a Group – on behalf of IACS shall be bound
by the relevant section of the briefing paper. Member representatives attending the
IMO meeting as part of a delegation other than IACS are encouraged to ‘educate’
those delegations on the basis of this IACS briefing paper.
(a) the representative may speak on resolutions which have been adopted by
IACS;
(b) the representative must not make contributions which could support IMO
regulatory work being expanded into the domain of classification societies;
6 Occasions may arise at IMO meetings where the number of IMO Groups
constituted and dealing with subjects of particular interest to IACS, exceeds the
ability of IACS to participate, due to having a limited number of representatives
available. In such cases, representatives from IACS Member Societies, participating
in such IMO Groups on behalf of Member States, may provide the only possible
source of information for the IACS Accredited Representative. Accordingly, these
representatives - when so requested by the IACS Accredited Representative - shall
assist by providing information to IACS as to developments within such IMO Groups
both during the meetings of the Groups and upon their conclusion. If necessary, at
the preparation meeting the IACS Accredited Representative shall ensure that one
representative in each IMO Group volunteers to supply this information.
7 Any experts attending IMO Groups as IACS Observers will prepare, in a timely
manner, a written report to the Accredited Representative. IACS representatives are
not permitted to make further written statements on the matters related to the
relevant IMO meeting to outside bodies other than their own Society.
A copy of the final version of the ‘consolidated’ IACS briefing paper will be attached
to the report of the IMO meetings. The Accredited Representative will also copy such
a report to any other IACS bodies, which are addressing issues outside the scope of
the Environmental and Safety Panels of GPG as appropriate i.e. another Panel or a
Group under the auspices of Council or GPG. This report will take account of the
reports received from any representatives who attended Working or Drafting Groups
on behalf of IACS, and will include the Accredited Representative’s recommendations
for further action. This report should be prepared and disseminated within 3 working
days of the end of an IMO meeting.
a) for issues that fall within the overall purview of GPG, but fall outside the
scope of the Reviewing Body, the Chair of the Reviewing Body may, at his/her
discretion, request the Chairmen of other relevant IACS bodies to propose
courses of actions; and
b) for issues that fall outside the overall purview of GPG, the Chair of the
Reviewing Body will note that any FUAs, including consideration of the
Accredited Representative’s recommendations, are to be considered by the
Chair of that other IACS body.
3 The actions recommended by the Chair of the Reviewing Body, for issues
addressed in (a) above shall be subject to the approval of GPG. The actions covered
by (b) shall be subject to the approval of Council. In the latter instance, Council
Members are encouraged to consult internally and concurrently with their GPG
representatives, in order to have a central memory and point of reference within
IACS on all IMO issues.
4 After approval by GPG, Panels can undertake tasks assigned to them under an
existing Task Form A, if one exists. Otherwise they need to prepare a new draft Task
Form A and send it to GPG in the normal manner. Normal procedures apply if a
Panel sets up a PT to perform the Task.
5 If a Panel strongly objects to a task it thereby receives from GPG, the Panel Chair
should address the objections (along with an alternative proposal for a suitable
course of action to address the task if possible) to GPG. If the receiving Panel only
needs clarification of the task, the Panel Chair should write to GPG requesting it.
6 The Chairmen of the relevant IACS bodies e.g. Panel, EG, or Small Group, are
responsible for monitoring and progressing any approved actions resulting from an
IMO meeting.
2 In all cases where it is anticipated that IACS may be invited to lead a CG, or where
it may be in the interest of IACS to offer to lead such a CG, the Accredited
Representative shall be responsible for seeking the advice of GPG (or Council if
appropriate) and the presumed governing WG who shall decide the optimum
approach to be adopted.
4 The Accredited Representative shall advise the name and contact information of
the IACS Representative in writing to the coordinator (leader) of the CG. In all
correspondence, the IACS Representative shall identify himself or herself as the IACS
Representative to the CG.
6 The coordinator of the CG will either provide a base document and request
comments within a specified time, or will solicit general comments. The IACS
Representative shall meet the deadlines specified by the coordinator of the CG for
comments and to send these comments to the coordinator and all other members of
the CG.
9 In all cases where IACS appears to be supporting a position opposite to that being
generally shared by the other CG members, the IACS Representative must ensure
that the IACS position is clearly reflected in the report of the CG and that the report
contains specific wording preferred by IACS. Under no circumstance shall any
correspondence between IACS Members be submitted to the IMO CG and a single
IACS position is always to be expressed to the CG. If there is no single position within
IACS then the IACS Representative shall not provide any input on that issue to the
CG.
12 The IACS Representative shall forward a copy of the draft report of the CG to the
governing WG and the Accredited Representative, together with any
comments/recommendations of the IACS Representative. The governing WG shall
subsequently:
.1 review the draft CG report and consider if the coordinator of the CG should be
asked to include any final IACS comments/statements; and/or
.2 develop the IACS views to be presented at the IMO parent body meeting where
the report of the CG is to be discussed, either as part of the briefing paper for, or in a
paper to be submitted to, that meeting (see C6.1.5 above).
13 The IACS Representative is also to take due account of the latest version of the
IMO “Guidelines on the organisation and method of work of the Maritime Safety
Committee and the Marine Environment Protection Committee and their Subsidiary
Bodies” and the relevant part on “Correspondence Groups”.
1 Relations with outside organisations other than IMO fall into three categories:
Liaison; JWGs; and Informal.
1 No reciprocal rights are required (only IMO has reciprocal relations), but IACS may
exert influence, if necessary. This category includes contacts established for
occasional exchange of views and attendance of meetings, in order to exchange
factual information. The European Commission, Intercargo, Intertanko, Oil
3 In general, IACS will not establish liaison relations with purely national
organisations.
1 A JWG with the industry on a specific technical topic may be established by GPG.
The outcome of any JWG meeting is to be communicated to the appropriate Panel.
2 Requests from outside organizations for collaborations with IACS are examined by
GPG who, if necessary, may refer them to the appropriate WG. Where GPG considers
it necessary or convenient, an IACS Observer may be appointed to an outside
organization. The arrangement of IACS Observer may be subject to review by the
Council.
7 To supplement the above, the Chair of the governing group or the Permanent
Secretariat, as may be directed by GPG, should advise the selected
Observer/Representative on the lines of the ‘Note to IACS Representative’ (C6.1.8.1).
1 IACS’s relationship and objectives with respect to the work carried out by ISO
have to be considered in view of the fact that both develop technical criteria or
requirements, and both are observers at IMO. This gives both organisations the
possibility to influence IMO. IACS overriding strategy must be to maintain its
presence as the foremost authority in developing criteria related to ship structural
strength, and mechanical and electrical systems. Such fields of work are traditionally
within the scope of classification and, as of 1 July 1998, are principal criteria which
ships built after 1 July 1998 must meet under SOLAS Regulation II-1/3-1.
2 The IACS Representative to IMO shall liaise with the ISO representative to IMO
with the aim to ensure that standards under development by ISO for IMO are not in
conflict with IACS interests.
3 GPG shall monitor ISO to determine the committees, subcommittees and WGs of
ISO in which IACS should be represented. GPG shall identify IACS policy and
strategy with regard to the activities of the relevant committees, sub-committees and
WGs and communicate these to the IACS representative to be appointed.
5 The IACS representatives to ISO bodies with which IACS has a Category A liaison
shall, to the extent practicable, attend the meetings held by the ISO committee,
subcommittee or WG. As necessary, IACS views shall be sought on matters that are
discussed at the meeting. In order to form IACS opinions and/or needs, an
evaluation of the matter with possible alternative proposals shall be presented to
GPG for consideration.
6 Within 30 days after a meeting a written report of the meeting shall be submitted
to GPG.
3 After attending a meeting an IACS Observer should submit a report to GPG. This
report should underline all items of interest to IACS and should contain suggestions
for any action to be taken by IACS.
C7 COMMUNICATION
C7.1.1 Language
1 The official language of IACS is English; the working language is also English.
C7.1.2 Correspondence
2 Correspondence between the Permanent Secretariat and the Council Chair should
be copied to all Council Members.
4 In general, correspondence within any IACS group shall be addressed to the Chair
of the group, and copies shall be sent to all members of the group. All
correspondence shall indicate where copies have been sent. WG Chairs are
responsible for maintaining their Group’s correspondence in a traceable manner.
5 All correspondence between WGs shall be addressed by the Chair of one group to
the Chair of the other. See also C4.2.1 regarding the role of the GPG Vice Chair in
facilitating inter-WG coordination.
6 Correspondence within any IACS group need not be copied to the Permanent
Secretariat, with only the following exceptions:
7 Files of all correspondence relating to the Council and GPG shall be stored within
the office of the Permanent Secretariat, see D2.5.
Additional notes
8 These Notes are intended to provide Members and the Permanent Secretariat with
guidance in implementing the above.
9 When assigning a new subject number in accordance with C7.1.3 email protocol
below, the Permanent Secretariat shall check if a number has already been given to
the subject so as not to start with a new subject number for an ongoing issue.
10 When there is a need to assign a new subject number for the ongoing issue, the
Permanent Secretariat shall make a clear reference to the old number, so that one
can easily trace the matter back to and through the old subject number.
11 Members shall endeavour to reference the message to which they are replying at
least by the subject number suffix and the date of the message.
12 The subject number and its title shall be kept unchanged as given by the
Permanent Secretariat or the initiator of a message, as far as practicable.
13 When there is a need to sort out the numbering, for example, use of different
numbers for the same topic, the Permanent Secretariat will intervene for email traffic
control.
14 When concluding an issue, the Permanent Secretariat and Council and GPG
Chairs should indicate a close of the subject number. This does not preclude re-
opening of the closed subject number at some future time.
15 The length of the title in an email shall be kept to the minimum necessary,
bearing in mind that Member Societies are using different email transaction systems.
16 The file name of a MS WORD or Acrobat pdf file attached to an e-mail should be
kept short.
17 For periodic check purposes, the Permanent Secretariat shall post monthly a
consolidated list of all subject numbers, together with a list of open subject numbers,
on the IACS website, with access restricted to Members only.
Messages between WG Chairs and GPG and the Permanent Secretariat (the same
principles apply to correspondence with the QC)
18 Messages intended for GPG should be addressed directly to the Chair of GPG,
with copy to GPG Members and the Permanent Secretariat (not directed via the
Permanent Secretariat), and use the Council or GPG subject number and the sending
Chair's identifier. Messages from GPG or the Permanent Secretariat intended for WG
action should be addressed or copied to the WG Chair.
20 GPG FUA lists are copied to Panel Chairs (and EG Chairs as appropriate), so they
should use the GPG subject number assigned to the FUA when replying to GPG.
21 When in doubt, WG Chairs should check with the Permanent Secretariat to see if
a GPG subject number exists. They may also contact their GPG member, if
necessary.
1 This section provides guidance for use of emails and their file attachments
amongst IACS Council/GPG Members/Panel Chairs/QC Chair/Quality Secretary and
the Permanent Secretariat.
2 Messages within Council or GPG Small Groups or within WGs should be identified
on similar lines, with the details arranged by the respective chair, but including a
Group or Panel identifier e.g. for the Hull Panel: PH13025_IHe (subject title).
3 Internet Service Providers: The individual member societies and the Permanent
Secretariat are free to choose their preferred service provider(s) for sending and
receiving Internet emails and file attachments.
4 Email Application Programs: The individual member societies are free to choose
their preferred application program(s) for sending and receiving emails and file
attachments.
5 Encoding and Decoding Program: The individual member societies and the
Permanent Secretariat must use MIME 1.0 for encoding and decoding of the emails
and file attachments.
6 File Attachments: Efforts should be made to minimize the use of file attachments,
however, when necessary, messages should be attached as MS Word documents.
IACS Resolutions for IACS Blue Books should be saved in Acrobat pdf for circulation
from the Permanent Secretariat; where possible an MS word version should also be
provided. File sizes should less than 10 MB as some receivers may have a delay or
blocking limit in their system.
AB, BV, CC, CR, NV, IR, KR, LR, NK, PR, RI, RS;
for the Council Chair, GPG Chair and Permanent Secretariat respectively:
Environmental – PE; Hull - PH; Machinery - PM; Safety - PS; Survey - PY;
CYBS – ECS; CONT – ECO; Data – ED; European Union – EU; FSA – EF; GBS –
EG; ISM-ISPS-MLC – EMS; Law – EW; Material & Welding – EMW; Polar Code
– EP; Surveyor Safety – ES; Training – ET .
QC and QS.
9 For example, the identifier of the first message of the Permanent Secretariat on
the main subject would be 10999_IAa; and of the second message from the
Permanent Secretariat on the first sub-subject in this example, 10999aIAb.
in which "NNNNN_IAx" is as usual and the addition of "RESyyyy001" means that the
email is in particular for circulating resolution(s) just adopted and it is the first one in
year yyyy. This means that both the numerical order of issue and the Resolution(s)
are track-able in the subject line.
11 Council and GPG messages intended for IACS Members and the Permanent
Secretariat should be sent to the addresses given in D2.4.4.
This section provides guidance for use of emails and their attachments amongst
Panel Members and their Chairman.
INTERNAL EXTERNAL
PANELS
COMMUNICATIONS COMMUNICATIONS
Environmental PEXXxxx_IDz Vol. 1 – C7.1.3 Email Protocol
Hull PHXXxxx_IDz Ditto
Machinery PMXXxxx_IDz Ditto
Safety PSXXxxx_IDz Ditto
Where:
“XX” : first two digits of the reference number identify the year (e.g. 14 for the
year 2014) and is assigned by the Chair.
“xxx” : next three digits is a number starting with 001 selected assigned by the
Chair.
“D” : Members identifiers – AB, BV, CC, CR, NV, IR, KR, LR, NK, PR, RI, RS.
“D” : Chairmen identifiers – “E” for environmental, “H” for hull, “M” for machinery,
“S” for safety, SU for survey.
“z” : Is a letter from a to z and za to zz. For the first message “a,” the second “b”
and so on until z, after which za, zb, and so on.
Note: “I” stands for “internal Panel” and is used with Chairman identifiers only.”
1 Member societies shall exchange regularly, free of charge, one copy of each of the
English edition of their latest Directory as well as their Register Books, Classification
and Construction Rules and pertinent supplements, for seagoing vessels only, except
in such cases where an exchange of Rules etc. will already be implemented on the
basis of bilateral agreements.
2 The documents should be sent to the GPG member of each society, at the
addresses given in D2.4.1.
C7.2.1 Correspondence
2 In general, all correspondence on behalf of IACS to IMO shall pass through the
office of the Permanent Secretariat.
1 IACS' aim shall be to make a constructive contribution to the wide range of issues
which arise from its international functions. This shall be achieved through
appropriate recognition of the Association’s role and by making its views known by all
appropriate methods and channels.
(a) to build long term relationships between the Permanent Secretariat and
the news media based on confidence and trust;
3 The Secretary General, in consultation with the Chair of Council, shall have
responsibility for developing the public relations activities of the Association through
the implementation of the above objectives.
(a) press releases following Council meetings and at such other times as
directed by Council;
(c) articles for the technical press, written by Members of the Association or
through provision of background material/research;
2 Such criticism will often be based on single instances of inefficiency (which may or
may not be well founded) but it is frequently extended to challenge the competence
of all Classification Societies or, indeed, to question the value of the system of
classification.
3 IACS should seek and take all suitable opportunities to build up the reputation and
credibility of IACS as a whole, and to make sure that there is a proper understanding
of the essential contribution that IACS and its Members individually make to the
establishment, maintenance and application of proper standards of maritime safety
worldwide. This is a major responsibility of the Secretary General under the direction
of the Chair of Council.
4 IACS should not become involved in public disputes about individual allegations of
inefficiency but must be prepared, by whatever means are appropriate, to counter
any challenges to the value of the system of classification or the integrity or
effectiveness of IACS as a whole.
6 Press statements (and/or interviews) by Member Societies can fall into one of
three categories:
8 Some public statements on the affairs of a Member Society may touch on matters
of principle concerning the concepts and practices of Classification in general. In
making such statements Council's resolutions on matters of policy shall be adhered
to. In such cases the Member should also consider whether it would be desirable to
consult or advise other Council Members in advance. If another Member considers
such a statement to be in conflict with IACS policy he/she may bring the matter to
the attention of the Chair and Council.
10 Releases concerning IACS may be made by each Member Society where they
repeat or follow up an IACS release or the Society's arrangements to apply IACS
decisions. Such Releases should be copied to the Permanent Secretariat as a matter
of routine.
3 The following guidelines, not all of which will be appropriate in all cases, are
designed to assist a Member Society in developing such a Press Release.
4 The guidelines may also be used by IACS Council in constructing such a Press
Release where the concerned Member Society declines to do so and IACS Council
decides to issue an IACS Press Release regarding the casualty.
The loss [location] on [date] of the [size], [ship type], [ship name] is deeply
regretted. The [ship name] was on passage from [port] to [port], with a
cargo of [tonnage] [name of cargo]. ([Ship name] had a complement of
[number] passengers and [number] crew). The vessel is owned by [the
owner] and managed by [the managing company] with its home office at
[city/country]. [Ship name] was embraced within the IACS Enhanced Survey
Programme (ESP) for older bulk carriers and tankers. The last Classification
Special Survey was carried out at [places] on [dates] and the last
Classification Annual Survey at [places] on [dates]. The most recent
Statutory Survey for [kind of survey] was conducted at [places] on [dates].
Her last Port State Control Inspection took place at [place] on [date]. The
vessel was registered in [country]. She was built in [country] in [year].
[Ship name] had been in class with [society] since [month/year]. From [year]
to [year], the ship had been classed by [name].
He said that [society] will study closely the findings of all appropriate
enquiries into this casualty – and move to inform fellow members of the
Association and to incorporate any lessons to be learned that could further
improve safety and minimise future risk from this type of accident.
C8 FINANCING / EXPENSES
1 Except as provided for below, each Member shall bear the salary, travel, and other
expenses of its employees engaged in IACS business or acting as IACS observers at
meetings of IMO and other organizations.
2 Where a Member will incur abnormal expenses as the result of its employees being
engaged on business to the benefit of the Association then, on a case by case basis,
the Council may consider the sharing of the expenses among the Members. Such
cases will require Council approval before the work is commenced.
3 The expenses connected with the Permanent Secretariat (including the QSCS
Operations Centre) shall be borne by Members on an equal share basis.
4 The Secretary General is to draw up and submit to the Council, for approval, the
proposed annual budget for the operation of the Permanent Secretariat, comprising
all the employees of IACS Ltd., in detail, including a breakdown of the budget
estimates and to report periodically to Council on forecasted expenditures against the
approved budget, highlighting unexpected costs or anticipated cost overruns as early
as possible.
5 The expenses associated with other specific Association activities and schemes
shall be distributed in a manner agreed by Council.
C8.2.1 General
2 The costs of the following functions are to be shared equally among the members
in accordance with the procedures described below:
3 However, the total assessment for cost-sharing shall take into account any charges
on non-IACS classification societies participating in IACS WGs, in accordance with
C4.3.
6 The Secretary General, with the assistance of GPG and WG Chairs, is to report
periodically to Council on forecasted expenditures against the approved “Panel and
PT” budget, highlighting unexpected costs or anticipated cost overruns as early as
possible.
1 Panel Chairs and Secretaries (one each per Panel) are employees of their Member
Society but costs associated with their work leading IACS Panels is shared amongst
the Members and non-IACS classification societies participating in WGs, as noted
above.
2 Panel Chairs are to carefully record their working hours on the work of the IACS
Panel, which are to be charged at a standard “IACS rate” (established by GPG and
currently £400 per day, based on an 8 hour day); plus travel, meeting, and ancillary
expenses directly related to their work in their capacity as IACS Panel Chairs. Panel
Secretaries are to do likewise but their working hours are to be charged at one-half
(1/2) the “IACS rate”.
4 Only actual working time is to be charged to IACS Members; travel and leave time
are to be borne by their Member Society.
1 The annual budget and accounting cycle follows the calendar year as follows:
(a) (See also (f) below) Autumn regular meeting of GPG: GPG, with the
assistance and input of the Panel Chairs, reviews the status of the current
year work plan and budget and prepares the work plan and budget, including
a suitable budget contingency, for the coming year, taking account of
Council’s Long Term Plan. GPG submits summary of work plan and budget to
Council.
(d) Spring regular meeting of GPG: GPG, with assistance of Panel Chairs,
reviews the annual progress reports and summary of actual costs against
budget for the prior year and any matters or proposals arising affecting the
current year work plan and budget and approves changes within the approved
budget contingency. Proposed increases to the approved budget are subject
to Council approval.
(f) (by 7 October): Panel Chairs report the actual hours and expenses for
themselves and their Secretary for the 1st eight months of the current year
(January through August, inclusive), approved by their supervisor in their
Member Society, together with the costs (hours and expenses) of each PT
under their Panel against the budgeted hours and expenses to GPG and
Permanent Secretariat. A best estimate of the expenditure for the final four
months of the year is also to be given. (Depending on the autumn GPG
meeting dates, the reporting dates may be different, as notified by the GPG
Chairman). Permanent Secretariat subsequently invoices each Member for an
equal share of the total actual hours (using the standard IACS hourly rate)
and expenses.
2 The Chair of any other WG (e.g. Expert Group) subject to a cost-shared budget is
to report in the same way as indicated above.
2 PT leaders (Project Managers) are responsible for completing their projects within
time and budget. Forecasts of the need to increase the time or budget for
completion of a project are to be communicated to the Panel as early as possible.
Any submission by PMs should be copied to their own society’s Panel representative
and GPG member. Approved budgets are not to be exceeded without the agreement
of Panel and GPG.
3 Panel Chairs are responsible for closely monitoring their actual hours and
expenses, and those of their Secretary, against their approved budget; closely
monitoring the expenses of the PTs under their Panel against their approved budget;
and for advising GPG of anticipated budget overruns as early as possible. Approved
budgets are not to be exceeded without agreement of GPG.
4 On a regular basis, to be specified by the Panel for each PT, the PM is to collect –
at the request of the Panel Chair - the hours and expenses expended on the PT which
are to be shared by societies and submit them to the Panel Chair. As a minimum,
this has to be done prior to the autumn GPG meeting (accounting for expenditures in
the first three-quarters of the year) and at year-end (accounting for expenditures in
5 In the event that a PT member does not submit their Form 2 to the PM by 10 days
before the Panel’s reporting deadline (e.g., by 5 Feb (10 days before 15 Feb) for the
last quarter of the previous year), the actual expenditures for the PT Member for that
period will not be reimbursed.
6 At the completion of the PT task, the PM shall endorse the most updated Form 2
and submit it to the Panel Chair along with the other PT deliverables.
8 The Permanent Secretariat shall complete the allocation Form 3, D1.1.4, and
circulate it to all Member societies. Accounts will be kept in sterling and shall be
settled at the time of the societies' subscription to IACS Ltd.
The dues payable by IACS Members shall be calculated by the Secretary General, and
notices of the dues payable, "payment notices", shall be issued to each Member by
courier and electronically as they arise. If an IACS Member shall fail to pay the dues
payable by it in full within 30 days of the Secretary General issuing a payment notice,
the Secretary General shall send a payment reminder forthwith by courier and
electronically, requiring payment in full by the Member in question within 60 days of
the date of the payment reminder.
TASK
Background (Who triggered the Task/item? Why? What is the expected benefit of
undertaking the work? What is the priority?)
References
GPG subject number(s):
Working Group correspondence number(s):
Work items
(Distinguish which items are to be completed by the Working Group and which by a
Project Team.)
Carried out by (List lead Working Group, as header, plus any others required to
contribute. When the initial work is to be undertaken by a Project Team reporting to
the Working Group, the required specialisations are to be listed and the Project Team
specification Form 1 is to be attached)
(to be completed, endorsed and submitted to the Working Group Chair by the PM)
Project Team...
Project Manager…
Host Society…
Team Members
1.............................................................. from ……
2.............................................................. from ……
3.............................................................. from ……
Aim*…
Proposed by*…
As a consequence of*…
Objectives…
(To be updated, endorsed by the Team Member and their society's administrative
person responsible and sent to the Project Manager; the most updated Form to be
endorsed by the Project Manager and submitted to the Panel Chair. All costs and
expenses to be expressed in Pounds Sterling)
Project Team……………………………………………………………………………
Society………………………………………………………………………..
Team Member...................................................................................……………
Total
Date ..................................Signature....................................................
Team Member
Date ..................................Signature....................................................
Project Manager
Project Team...
Project Manager…
Host Society…
Team Members
1.............................................................. from ……
2.............................................................. from ……
3.............................................................. from ……
ABS
BV
CCS
CRS
DNVGL
IRS
KR
LR
NK
PRS
RINA
RS
Total
Date .................................................Signature…………………………………......
Permanent Secretariat
D1.2.1 Template
This document provides the preferred format and content of the History file and
Technical Background documents, which are required when a draft new/amended
IACS Resolution is submitted to GPG for adoption.
This document consists of Part A for revision history, and Part B for Technical
Backgrounds. Part A will continue to be updated with the revision history when
revisions or corrections occur. Part B will also be updated by adding Technical
Background documents as annexes for each revision.
Part A is to be written in simple and concise language. When more details are
required, they are to be included in Part B ‘Technical Background’.
This section is to provide a revision history for the proposed resolution. This part will
move down to become the second section when the resolution is revised next time.
1 Origin of Change:
The Working Group (WG) Chair shall summarise all relevant technical input posted on
the TC Forum and expressed by WG participants, including dissenting or supporting
views expressed by non-IACS Member classification societies.
6 Dates:
Original Proposal: (Date: ) Made by: (Specify: )
Panel Approval: (Date: )
GPG Approval: (Date: )
Original document)
[same format as above]
*******
This Part B will include Technical Background documents for each revision and
development. For record-keeping purposes, TB documents for each version are to be
annexed hereto.
◄▼►
◄▼►
◄▼►
◄▲►
Template
This section is to describe Technical Background for the proposed resolution in the
following format.
This section is to review all relevant parts of the resolution that have been the
subject of discussion during its development by the WG or which can be anticipated
to be the subject of discussion with industry during the implementation stage of the
resolution. The summary of issues discussed or anticipated and how they were
resolved serve, in part, as justification for the resolution. It is recommended that TB
be drafted with the same numbering system as the resolution and the
discussion/justification given in each section, subsection or paragraph, as relevant
and appropriate.
6 Attachments if any
D1.3.1 Introduction
1 Each Working Group Chair is to report to GPG on the programme of the group
twice a year. A full report shall be submitted to the autumn meeting, which
determines the programme and budget for the coming calendar year; and an interim
progress report to the spring meeting, highlighting any variances. Each report
should be received by GPG at least two weeks before the scheduled date of its
meeting.
2 The autumn report should address activities during the prior year of Chairmanship
on duty. Panel Chairs have to manage the Progress Reports of the Project Teams
reporting to them, and to include a summary of their activities within the progress
report of the Panel for GPG consideration. It is essential to make the report a tool for
efficient decision making by GPG and to this end a standard reporting format should
be used by Chairs of Working Groups.
3 The Panel Chairs should normally attend the Autumn GPG meeting and may attend
the Spring meeting if invited by the GPG Chair.
A. THE SUMMARY
1. Lists of Working Group meetings held, Working Group Chair’s participation in non-
IACS meetings as an IACS liaison/observer, and meeting schedules for the coming
year.
2. Summary of actual versus budgeted costs for the Panel Chair and Secretary and
the Panel’s cost shared tasks
This item is dedicated to any issue that requires GPG decision at the meeting and is
to contain the following:
3.1 List of draft Resolutions and draft revisions to existing Resolutions, if any, which
have been agreed by the Working Group for consideration and adoption by GPG at its
forthcoming meeting. (Generally, Resolutions should be submitted by
correspondence at any time when completed. They should not be held to be dealt
with at the meeting unless special circumstances require it.)
This section should contain a list of these resolutions in the following order:
(a) Newly developed resolutions: [Category (UR, UI, Rec, II, PR, OTG)] [number - to
be inserted by Chair, if known, otherwise by Permanent Secretariat] [name of
resolution] [Origin, e.g: Outcome of Task nn - see Annex a; TB Annex a.a.];
(b) Numbers and names of Tasks to be prolonged (see section B.1 item 1.1.1 for
details),
[Task number, Task title, from (target date) to (new target date)].
(c) Names of proposed new Tasks (see section B.2 for details),
[(assumed) Task number (in square brackets), Task title, target date].
(d) Numbers and names of tasks deletion of which is sought for reasons not related
to their completion (see section B.1 item 1.1.2 for details),
[Task number, Task title].
This section is to indicate the name of any topic which the Working Group wishes to
bring to GPG Members’ special attention (for details see section B.4) so that GPG
members can concentrate on these critical elements of the WG technical work during
their preparation for the GPG Autumn meeting.
B. DETAILED REPORT
A full list of issues in the work programme should be provided in this section. It is to
contain a task by task review of the activities of the Working Group since the last
progress report, comprising:
It is to confirm that the periodical review of IACS Resolutions has been carried
out.
This section is to contain any new items that the Working Group wishes to be
included in its future work programme with a detailed explanation of the
reasons for IACS attention to this subject.
Any new work item is to be supplemented by a draft task Form A (and Form 1
if applicable).
2. This section may also contain the Working Group’s request for a
deletion of an existing resolution. The reasons for such a request are
to be provided.
C. ANNEXES
ABS
BV
CCS
CRS
DNVGL
IRS
KR
LR
NK
PRS
RINA
RS
[New
Member]
Footnote (1)
Replies to correspondence stipulating tacit acceptance shall not be counted unless
such replies require an additional round of correspondence or contain comments that
have been taken on board
Footnote (2)
Record of Members’ on-going participation is not applicable to Expert Groups (EG)
Subject/Task lists for EG/Panel (for the Annual Progress report and for the Spring
interim report);
Subject No. (under
‘External’ interests
approved Form A?
Inter-group (Lead
indicated in Form
Original Target
Revised Target
Carried out by
applicable)**
(under GPG)
Task No (as
Subject No.
Is there an
T C Forum
Status***
Comment
Driven by
(WG/PT)
Date (if
Panel)
Date*
WG)
Title
A)
Original Target Date indicated in the approved Form A or, in case of a long-standing
task, assigned by EG/Panel Chair.
For tasks with Original Target Date indicated in the approved Form A, a Revised
Target Date already agreed by GPG should be shown in this column. If the task is
For tasks with Original Target Date assigned by EG/Panel Chair, a revised Target
Date set by EG/Panel Chair should be shown in this column.
After the agreed Revised Target Date, one of the following codes is to be added to
indicate whether the Original Target Date has been revised due to delay in the work
or to the assignment of additional work as an expansion of the task:
(d) = delayed task
(a) = additional work assigned
Deviating from plan in time, but the task will reach its goals = “O” (overdue)
with respect to either the Revised Target Date (if any) or the Original Target
Date (if no Revised Target Date has been agreed yet)
Deviating from plan in budget, but the task will reach its goals = “D”
(deviating)
The subjects/task lists shall include the relevant information as shown in the above
table.
Task No. (including the task No. under EG/Panel and the corresponding task No.
under GPG), Title, PT, Project Manager, PT Members, Target Date, Forecasted Budget
and Actual Budget.
Task No. Task No. Title Project PT Members Target Date Forecasted Actual
(under WG) (under Manager Budget Budget
GPG)
1 For the quarterly reporting, which will include the brief interim report to be
submitted to the spring GPG meeting, a format identical to the format of Section D of
the Annual report referred to in D1.3.2 is to be used.
Form X
The society is to identify all or part of the UR (e.g. by paragraph number or numbers)
for which a reservation is found necessary and provide technical reasons for the
reservation. When a Society chooses not to offer classification for the type of ship or
maritime structure addressed by a UR, or group of URs, it shall be reported as N/A
(not applicable) using Form Z in D1.4.3: those so marked will not be counted when
analysing the total number of reservations.
Date:_________________ Signature:_______________________
(GPG Member)
Form Y
Date:_________________ Signature:_______________________
(GPG Member)
Form Z
The society is to identify all or part of the UR (e.g. by paragraph number or numbers)
that they do not apply because they choose not to offer classification for the type of
ship or marine structure addressed by a UR, or group of URs.
Date:_________________ Signature:_______________________
(GPG Member)
D2 ORGANISATION
IACS COUNCIL
General Quality EG
Policy Committee Training
Group
(Independent)
Quality
Advisory
Committee
EG EG EG EG Permanent Quality
Containers Law GBS European Secretariat Secretariat
Union
EG EG EG
CYBS Formal Material
Safety &
Assessment Welding
EG EG EG EG
Data Polar Code ISM-ISPS-MLC Safety of
(Management Surveyors
Systems)
BV Bureau Veritas
67/71 Boulevard du Chateau
92200 Neuilly sur Seine
France
DNV GL DNV GL AS
Attn: MGUNO855
International Regulatory Affairs
N-1322 Høvik,
Norway
Council and GPG messages intended for IACS Members and the Permanent
Secretariat, as a group, should be sent to the following addresses:
ABS: AIACS@eagle.org
BV: iacs@bureauveritas.com
CCS: iacs@ccs.org.cn
CRS: iacs@crs.hr
DNV GL: iacs@dnvgl.com
IRS: iacs@irclass.org
KR: krsiacs@krs.co.kr
LR: iacs@lr.org
NK: classnkiacs@classnk.or.jp
PRS: iacs@prs.pl
RINA: iacs@rina.org
RS: iacs@rs-class.org
efs@iacs.org.uk
robertashdown@iacs.org.uk
paulsadler@iacs.org.uk
johnvanezos@iacs.org.uk
ajayasokkumar@iacs.org.uk
yulongwan@iacs.org.uk
terryperkins@iacs.org.uk
Messages to the QSCS Operations Centre should be sent to the following addresses:
qscs.ops@iacs.org.uk
peterwilliams@iacs.org.uk
tanyacross@iacs.org.uk
Email addresses of Panel and EG Chairs and Members are given in separate listings
circulated by the Permanent Secretariat from time to time. Similarly, a list for the
IACS observers and ISO Liaisons is circulated by the Permanent Secretariat from
time to time.
IMO and other organisations: IACS Papers to IMO - for an unlimited period.
FSA Studies by PT (Project Teams) When IACS sets up a project team to carry out
a Formal Safety Assessment, the IACS
Permanent Secretariat is to archive and
maintain in confidence one full copy of the
documents used for the FSA for 15 years after
completion of the FSA.
1.2 IACS provides this Forum, subject to charges as established by IACS, to CSs
who agree to abide by these TOS. The subscription charges are designed to recover
the reasonable costs of establishing and maintaining the Forum only. IACS reserves
the right to change the nature of this relationship (other than the basis for its
charges) at any time.
2 Definitions
2.1 In these TOS all terms shall have the same meaning as in the IACS Charter
unless otherwise stated:
Confidential Content means any Content other than Content which IACS may
decide to publish.
Content means text, files, links, software, photographs, video, sound, music which is
transmitted, posted, or otherwise provided to any part of the Forum, whether posted
by IACS, a CS or any other user of the Forum. For the avoidance of doubt, Content
shall include (without limitation) drafts of resolutions (IACS CSR, IACS PR, IACS UR
and IACS UI), comments on such drafts by CSs in the Forum, opinions and votes
expressed by CSs in the Forum, technical models, data sheets, software, computer
outputs, personal data relating any individuals authorised by a CS to use its Account.
3.1 In consideration of the right to use the Forum, each CS which participates in the
Forum, whether or not it is a member of IACS, agrees to (i) comply with these TOS;
and (ii) allow participation in the Forum through its Account (as defined below) only
by its own employees. A CS which violates these TOS may, at IACS’s sole discretion,
and subject only to the provisions of the IACS Charter, be banned from using the
Forum.
3.2 In addition, each non-IACS CS agrees to (i) provide IACS with accurate,
complete and true information about itself as required on the Forum's registration
form (its "Registration Information") in order to create its IACS Online Forum Account
(its "Account"); and (ii) maintain and update, as applicable, its Registration
Information with current and complete information. A non-IACS CS which provides
inaccurate, false, or non-current Registration Information may, at IACS's sole
discretion, subject only to the provisions of the IACS Charter, have its Account
suspended or terminated.
3.3 As part of its Account, each CS will be responsible for creating and maintaining
the confidentiality of its user name and password. Each CS is responsible for all
activity occurring under its Account. Each CS agrees that it will (i) immediately notify
3.4 IACS shall have no liability for any loss or damage arising from a CS’s Account or
a CS’s failure to comply with these requirements.
4 Confidentiality
4.1 Each CS agrees that it will, and will procure that each individual authorised to
use its Account will:
• not use any Confidential Content other than is necessary in order to discharge
his/her duties in connection with furthering the interests of the Forum (the
“Purpose”); and
• not disclose any Confidential Content to any person other than any of the
employees, agents or contractors of the CS that he/she represents, other
parties specifically provided for by IACS Procedures or to other CSs
participating in the Forum and then only subject to procuring that any person
to whom any Confidential Content is disclosed by it/him/her in accordance
with these TOS complies with the confidentiality restrictions contained in these
TOS and only uses such Confidential Content in connection with the Purpose.
4.2 Notwithstanding the provisions in section 4.1 above, each CS and each individual
authorised to use that CS’s Account, may disclose any Confidential Content:
• if and to the extent required by law or for the purpose of any judicial
proceedings (provided always that the disclosing party gives as much notice
as possible to IACS prior to such disclosure);
• to its professional advisers;
• if and to the extent the Content has come into the public domain through no
fault of the CS or the individual authorised to use that CS’s Account which is
seeking to disclose the Confidential Content; or
• if and to the extent that IACS has given prior consent to the disclosure.
4.3 In addition, nothing in this section 4 shall prohibit a CS from publishing its own
technical Rules and Guides which may incorporate its own comments and opinions on
subjects discussed in the Forum.
5.1 Each CS is entirely responsible and liable for all activities conducted by it and
any authorised user of its Account in the Forum, including the submission of Content.
5.2 Listed below are some, though not all, violations that may result in IACS
terminating or suspending a CS’s access to the Forum. Each CS agrees not to do, or
permit any person using its Account to do, any of the following actions while using
any Forum:
5.3 By posting Content on the Forum or submitting any other Content to IACS, a CS
shall, and shall procure that any person appointed to use its Account shall,
automatically grant (or warrant that the owner of such rights has expressly granted)
to IACS a perpetual, worldwide, royalty-free, irrevocable, non-exclusive right and
license to use, reproduce, modify, adapt, publish, translate, sub-license (including
sublicensing other users of the Forum), create derivative works from and distribute
such materials or incorporate such Content for any purpose and into any form,
medium, or technology now known or later developed.
5.4 While IACS endeavours to ensure that the Forum is available at all times, IACS
shall not be liable if for any reason the Forum is not always available, including where
maintenance is required.
5.6 IACS and its Members (to the extent that Members may be held liable for any
act or omission of IACS), partners, officers, employees and advisers shall not be
liable for any indirect or consequential loss or damage (however arising, including in
negligence), nor for any direct loss of revenue, profit, business, goodwill or
anticipated savings or any loss of or damage to data or systems suffered as a result
of a disclosure, statement or omission on, or the use of, the Forum or its Content,
save to the extent that the same cannot be excluded under the laws of England and
Wales. Without prejudice to the foregoing, the maximum aggregate liability of IACS
and its Members (to the extent that Members may be held liable for any act or
omission of IACS), partners, officers, employees and advisers to any CS, or to any
person appointed to use that CS’s Account, in connection with the Forum shall not in
any calendar year exceed an amount equivalent to all charges received or receivable
by IACS from that CS for its use of the Forum in relation to the calendar year in
which the event giving rise to the claim arose.
5.8 Each CS agrees to indemnify IACS and its Members (to the extent that Members
may be held liable for any act or omission of IACS),partners, officers, employees and
advisers for any and all claims, damages, losses, and causes of action arising as a
result of that CS or any person using that CS’s Account posting to the Forum,
submitting any Content to the Forum or that CS’s failure or the failure by any person
using that CS’s Account to comply with these TOS and other rules that may be
published from time to time by IACS regarding the use of the Forum. While IACS
does not and cannot review all Content posted by CSs in the Forum and is not
responsible for the content of these postings, IACS reserves the right to delete,
move, or edit Content that it, in its sole discretion, deems to be abusive, defamatory,
obscene, in violation of copyright or trademark laws, in violation of any person's
rights of privacy or publicity or otherwise unacceptable.
6 No Resale/Exploitation
6.1 Without prejudice to section 4.3 above, each CS understands and agrees that it
may not reproduce, copy, resell, manipulate, or exploit any Content for any
commercial purpose, other than explicitly permitted by IACS Procedures or by the
IACS Council.
7 Termination
7.1 Each CS understands and agrees that IACS may, in its sole discretion and at any
time, subject only to the provisions of the IACS Charter, terminate that CS’s
password, Account or use of the Forum, and discard and remove any Content posted
on or submitted by that CS to the Forum, for any breach of these TOS or any other
rules that may be published from time to time by IACS. Each CS understands and
agrees that IACS may take any one or more of these actions without prior notice.
Should IACS take any of these actions, it may, in its sole discretion, subject only to
the provisions of the IACS Charter, immediately deactivate and/or delete any or all
Content about and concerning the CS’s Account, including its Registration
Information and submitted Content.
7.2 Each CS acknowledges and agrees that IACS may be irreparably harmed by the
breach of these TOS and/or the Guidelines or other rules published by IACS from
time to time and damages may not be an adequate remedy; IACS shall be entitled to
an injunction or specific performance for any threatened or actual breach of the
provisions of these TOS and/or the Guidelines or other rules published by IACS from
time to time.
8 Other
8.1 These TOS shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of
England and Wales without giving effect to any principles of conflicts of law.
8.2 Each CS agrees that any action at law or in equity arising out of or relating to
these terms shall be filed only in the courts located in England and Wales and each
CS hereby consents and submits to the personal jurisdiction of such courts for the
purposes of litigating any such action. In no event shall a CS be entitled to injunctive
or other equitable relief. If any provision of these terms shall be unlawful, void, or
*********
1.3 In addition, each non-IACS CS agrees to (i) provide IACS with accurate,
complete and current information about itself as required on the WG Item
Registration Form (Registration Information) and (ii) maintain and update, as
applicable, its Registration Information with current and complete information.
1.4 IACS, at its sole discretion and subject only to the provisions of the IACS
Charter, reserves the right to withdraw participation rights in WGs where a CS and/or
its WG Participants breach these TOS.
1.5 For the purposes of these TOS, references to "IACS" include a reference to both
IACS and IACS Ltd.
2 Definitions
2.1 In these TOS all terms shall have the same meaning as in the IACS Charter
unless otherwise stated:
Information means all information in any form, whether written or oral, which is
shared between WG Participants including (without limitation) drafts of resolutions
(IACS CSR, IACS PR, IACS UR and IACS UI), comments on such drafts by WG
Participants, opinions and votes expressed by WG Participants, technical models,
data sheets, software, computer outputs, personal data relating to WG Participants.
3.1 Each CS agrees that it will, and will procure that each WG Participant that it
appoints will:
3.2 Notwithstanding the provisions in section 3.1 above, each CS and each WG
Participant that it appoints may disclose any Confidential Information:
• if and to the extent required by law or for the purpose of any judicial
proceedings (provided always that the disclosing party gives as much notice
as possible to the Chair of the WG prior to such disclosure);
• to its professional advisers;
• if and to the extent the information has come into the public domain through
no fault of the CS or WG Participant seeking to disclose the Confidential
Information; or
• if and to the extent that the WG Chair has given prior consent to the
disclosure.
3.3 In addition, nothing in this section 3 shall prohibit a CS from publishing its own
technical Rules and Guides which may incorporate its own comments and opinions on
subjects discussed by the WG.
4.1 Each CS is entirely responsible and liable for all activities conducted by it and by
any WG Participant that it appoints to participate in a WG on its behalf.
4.2 Listed below are some, though not all, violations that may result in IACS
terminating or suspending the right to participate in a WG. No WG Participant shall
do any of the following actions while participating in a WG:
4.3 By contributing Information to the WG, each CS shall, and shall procure that
each WG Participant appointed by it shall, automatically grant (or warrant that the
owner of such rights has expressly granted) to IACS a perpetual, worldwide, royalty-
free, irrevocable, non-exclusive right and license to use, reproduce, modify, adapt,
publish, translate, sub-license (including sublicensing other CSs), create derivative
works from and distribute such Information or incorporate such Information for any
purpose into any form, medium, or technology now known or later developed.
4.4 IACS and its Members (to the extent that the Members may be held liable for
any act or omission of IACS), partners, officers, employees and advisers are not
responsible for the Information made available in the WGs, which is provided “as is”,
without any conditions, warranties or other terms of any kind. Without prejudice to
the restrictions imposed in section 5.1 of these TOS, any CS or WG Participant who
uses or relies on the Information does so entirely at their own risk and irrevocably
agrees not to bring any claim, action or proceeding in respect of any loss, damage,
cost or expense suffered or incurred by it as a result of its use or reliance on any
Information. To the maximum extent permitted by law, IACS excludes all
representations, express or implied warranties, conditions and other terms which but
for this legal notice might have effect in relation to the Information that is shared
within the WG.
4.5 IACS and its Members (to the extent that the Members may be held liable for
any act or omission of IACS), partners, officers, employees and advisers shall not be
liable for any indirect or consequential loss or damage (however arising, including in
negligence), nor for any direct loss of revenue, profit, business, goodwill or
anticipated savings or any loss of or damage to data or systems suffered as a result
of a disclosure, statement or omission relating to any Information, save to the extent
that the same cannot be excluded under the laws of England and Wales.
4.6 Without prejudice to the foregoing, the maximum aggregate liability of IACS and
its Members (to the extent that the Members may be held liable for any act or
omission of IACS), partners, officers, employees and advisers to a CS or its WG
Participants in connection with a WG shall not in any calendar year exceed an amount
equivalent to all charges received or receivable by IACS from that CS for its
participation in the WG in accordance with IACS Procedures in relation to the
calendar year in which the event giving rise to the claim arose.
4.7 Each CS agrees to indemnify IACS and its Members (to the extent that the
Members may be held liable for any act or omission of IACS), partners, officers,
employees and advisers for any and all claims, damages, losses, and causes of action
arising as a result of that CS or any WG Participant appointed by that CS failing to
comply with these TOS and other rules that may be published from time to time by
IACS regarding participation in WGs or as a result of reliance on any Information.
5 No Resale/Exploitation
5.1 Without prejudice to section 3.3 above, each CS acknowledges and agrees that it
may not reproduce, copy, resell, manipulate, or exploit any Information for any
commercial purpose, other than as explicitly permitted by IACS Procedures or by the
IACS Council.
6.1 Each CS understands and agrees that IACS may in its sole discretion, subject
only to the provisions of the IACS Charter, withdraw its right to participate in a WG
and that IACS may take this action without prior notice to that CS.
6.2 Each CS acknowledges and agrees that IACS may be irreparably harmed by the
breach of these TOS or other rules published by IACS from time to time and damages
may not be an adequate remedy; IACS shall be entitled to an injunction or specific
performance for any threatened or actual breach of the provisions of these TOS
and/or the Guidelines or other rules published by IACS from time to time.
7 Other
7.1 These TOS shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of
England and Wales without giving effect to any principles of conflicts of law and
without prejudice to any right a CS and/or WG Participant may have to raise a
grievance in accordance with the applicable Procedures set out in part 1.7(d) of
Annex 3 of the IACS Charter.
7.2 Each CS and each WG Participant agrees that any action at law or in equity
arising out of or relating to these terms shall be filed only in the courts located in
England and Wales and hereby consents and submits to the personal jurisdiction of
such courts for the purposes of litigating any such action. In no event shall a CS
and/or WG Participant be entitled to injunctive or other equitable relief. If any
provision of these terms shall be unlawful, void, or for any reason unenforceable,
then that provision shall be deemed severable from these terms and shall not affect
the validity and enforceability of any remaining provisions.
**********
Name of participant
Qualifications
Working Group(s)
Short CV listing
participant’s experience.
Please list any experience
or expertise of particular
value to the Working
Group Item(s)
The nominated individual will participate in an effective and efficient manner, and
will meet the deadlines set for the item(s). I understand that [classification
society name] will also be required to contribute a proportionate part of the cost
of running the Working Group, and that IACS will inform us of the amount when
replying to this application.
I accept the Terms of Service for IACS Working Groups attached hereto.
Name:
Position:
Date/Signature:
Working Group
Chair/Chairs advised
CS advised of their
proportion of running costs
Amount advised…………..
of the WG
(This part to be completed by the Permanent Secretariat and sent to the CS)
Class Society
Date
Working Group
Proportionate cost of
participation
Name:
Position:
Date/Signature:
Permanent Secretariat is to forward the completed form to the Working Group chair.
Except as permitted under current English legislation no part of this work may be
photocopied, stored in a retrieval system, published, performed in public, adapted,
broadcast, transmitted, recorded or reproduced in any form or by means, without
prior permission of the copyright owner.
Where IACS has granted written permission for any part of this publication to be
quoted such quotation must include acknowledgement to IACS.
With regard to information published on the IACS website and where the copyright
resides with IACS and IACS Ltd., permission is hereby granted for use, as above.
Without derogating from the generality of the foregoing, neither the International
Association of Classification Societies (IACS) nor IACS Ltd. nor its Member Societies
nor their directors, officers, members, employees or agents shall be liable in contract
or negligence or otherwise howsoever for any direct, indirect or consequential loss to
any person caused by or arising from any information, advice, inaccuracy or omission
given or contained herein or any act or omission causing or contributing to any such
information, advice, inaccuracy or omission given or contained herein.
Any dispute concerning the provision of material herein is subject to the exclusive
jurisdiction of the English courts and will be governed by English Law.
The IACS website provides access to technical Resolutions produced by IACS and
carries the following note:
IACS publishes all Unified Requirements ("URs"), including CSR, and Technical
Background ("TB") information on the IACS website. Any classification society which
is not a Member of IACS may register with IACS for free RSS newsfeeds with updates
of all IACS' new publications by navigating to the page it wants to subscribe to and
using the RSS link on that page. By clicking on the RSS link the classification society
can add its contact details for subscription.
Notwithstanding the intellectual property rights held by IACS Members in IACS' URs
and the related TB information, all classification societies are free to use the URs
(including CSR) by effectively embedding them into their own published rules.
Classification societies are also at liberty to enter into any agreement with any IACS
Member in relation to the provision of further information or assistance.
In the event that any classification society decides to embed IACS' requirements into
its own rules, it will be the responsibility of that classification society to verify the
contents and the application of those requirements. The classification society's right
to incorporate IACS' requirements into its own rules implies no representation by
IACS or its Members that the classification society in question is operating in
compliance with those requirements. IACS and IACS' Members accept no liability (in
contract, tort or otherwise) for any defect or deficiency in IACS' URs and the related
information or for any resulting damage.
********
Preamble
The following Guiding Principles refer to the IACS Procedures, Volume 1, Section C7.2
on external communication. They are intended to provide further guidance to the
Chair of Council and GPG, the Secretary General and Permanent Secretariat, and all
Member Societies to promote the aims of IACS and the role of class for maritime
safety, security, protection of the environment and sustainability, in general.
This document is based on the principle that the IACS communication is a primary
responsibility of the Chair of Council assisted by the Secretary General and their
respective staff, including the Chair of GPG and the Council’s Vice Chairmen, and the
Permanent Secretariat. The Chair of Council may also be assisted by a press office
under his/her direction. The Secretary General provides support with his/her own
contacts with the industry and leading organisations, and the Permanent Secretariat
should act as central focal point with the media and press for any matter relating to
IACS. The Chairman’s office can provide further guidance on external communication
matters. In particular, the Chair of Council may request the Council’s Vice Chairmen
or the Secretary General to represent IACS whenever he/she is invited but not able
to attend some events deemed relevant to IACS.
1 IACS primary aims are mentioned in the IACS Charter and in the IACS Objectives,
Strategy and Short-Term Plan, which is a reference document, to be periodically
reviewed by Council and used by the Chair of Council and GPG, and by all Member
Societies for communication purposes. Normally, this document is adopted at the
June Council meeting and it is valid for presenting the IACS objectives and short term
plan both to all interested parties, the media and the public, for the next
chairmanship period.
2 The elected Chair of Council may present the adopted IACS Objectives, Strategy
and Short-Term Plan in the press release and at the first press conference following
the June Council meeting. As proven, this document is also useful afterwards, e.g.
during meetings with interested parties and at conferences, especially highlighting
those priorities, which are presented by the Chair of Council as the most important
during his/her chairmanship period.
3 The Council, in December 2013 (C68), decided that the original IACS Objectives,
Strategy and Short-Term Plan, adopted in June 2013 for the period 2013-2014,
should be reviewed by the Strategy Committee and be presented in two separate
documents for the incoming chairmanship period, respectively: (a) general objectives
and strategy in a document, which may remain valid in the long-term, and (b) short-
term plan in another document, which most probably will have to be substantially
updated every year, based on achieved results and on priority setting.
4 As stated in the IACS Procedures, Volume 1, paragraph C7.2.2, IACS' aim shall be
to make a constructive contribution to the wide range of issues which arise from its
international functions. This shall be achieved through appropriate recognition of the
Association’s role and by making its views known by all appropriate methods and
channels.
5 As stated in the IACS Procedures. Volume 1, paragraph C7.2.3, IACS should seek
and take all suitable opportunities to build up the reputation and credibility of IACS
6 As stated in the IACS Charter and in the IACS Objectives, Strategy and Short-
Term Plan (2013-2014), the IACS’ aims are to:
c. provide a Quality System Certification Scheme (QSCS) that its Members shall
comply with, as an assurance of professional integrity and maintenance of
high professional standards.
7 The IACS Objectives, Strategy and Short-Term Plan (2013-2014) also mention the
support that IACS can offer to regulators, e.g. IMO and ILO, and the Industry,
relating to the following asset values:
8 The strategy to further strengthen these values is driven by the guiding principles
presented and regularly reviewed by Council in the IACS Objectives, Strategy and
Short-Term Plan.
2 IACS Website
2 In the IACS website, there is a window “IACS explained”, which includes some
fundamental documents to explain the role of class and aims of IACS, namely:
4 In the IACS website there is a window “News”, which includes the IACS press
releases and articles in the press. This section needs to be kept constantly updated
by the Permanent Secretariat, including articles published by the press on IACS,
presently circulated via e-mail messages to all Members, as well as papers and
presentations made by the Chair of Council, Council Vice Chair, Chair of GPG,
Secretary General or other representatives appointed to speak on behalf of IACS in
various events. The publication of these documents on the IACS website can provide
further guidance to the Member Societies about the IACS policies, strategies and
short-term plan as well as external visibility.
2 The Secretary General, assisted by the Permanent Secretariat, should provide the
Chair of Council with a standard presentation relating to the IACS Objectives,
Strategies and Short-Term Plan, based on most recent achievements, or other
matters relating to on-going work and discussion with other parties, e.g. at the IMO
or with Industry. When needed, the Secretary General may ask GPG Chair and
Members’ input on matters that require specific technical knowledge and expertise.
The Chair of GPG may direct such a request to a specific Panel or Expert Group.
3 The Chair of Council or Chair of GPG may review such a standard presentation or
develop new ones, based on the objectives, strategies and short-term plan
established during the chairmanship period.
5 The Secretary General should keep the Chair of Council and Members informed
about any feedback from the media, the Industry or other interested parties relating
to the IACS participation at conferences or other events.
4 Public Relations
2 The Secretary General should assist the Chair of Council for developing the public
relations activities of the Association through the implementation of the above
objectives.
c. articles for the technical press, written by the Chair of Council, Chair of
GPG, Panel Chair or Members of the Association, speaking on behalf of
IACS (upon Council or GPG instruction);
6 The Chairman’s Office may consider any emerging opportunities there are for class
to raise its voice and be noticed, as areas of improvement.
8 As stated in the IACS Procedures, Volume 1, paragraph C7.2.3, IACS should not
become involved in public disputes about individual allegations of inefficiency but
must be prepared, by whatever means are appropriate, to counter any challenges to
the value of the system of classification or the integrity or effectiveness of IACS as a
whole. Such a response should come from the Chair of Council or Secretary General,
when appointed by the Chair of Council to do so.
1 Criticisms may be based on single instances of inefficiency (which may or may not
be well founded) but it is frequently extended to challenge the competence of all
classification societies or, indeed, to question the value of the system of
classification. In replying to these questions and defending the classification system
as a whole, adverse comments on the performance or abilities of one IACS Member
should be avoided, unless substantiated by objective evidence or relating to any
decisions taken by IACS.
2 Public statements should avoid public comments on any Member Societies’ affairs
or initiatives that are outside the scope of IACS or do not raise any question on the
system of classification or on IACS matters in general.
6 Some public statements on the affairs of a Member Society may touch on matters
of principle concerning the concepts and practices of Classification in general. In
making such statements Council's resolutions on matters of policy shall be adhered
to. In such cases the Member should also consider whether it would be desirable to
consult or advise other Council Members in advance. If another Member considers
such a statement to be in conflict with IACS policy he/she may bring the matter to
the attention of the Chair and Council.
8 Releases concerning IACS may be made by each Member Society where they
repeat or follow up an IACS release or the Society's arrangements to apply IACS
decisions. Such Releases should be copied to the Permanent Secretariat as a matter
of routine.
Dr Ing H G Schultz of Germanischer Lloyd took the post of the Chair of the Council.
29 Oct 1969 IACS was granted consultative status with IMCO at the 6th
regular IMCO Assembly.
13-14 Oct 1982 GPG 13 meeting at American Bureau of Shipping, New York.
14-16 Feb 1983 GPG 14 meeting at American Bureau of Shipping, New York.
18-20 Oct 1983 GPG 15 meeting at American Bureau of Shipping, New York.
13-15 Mar 1984 GPG 16 meeting at American Bureau of Shipping, New York.
16-18 Oct 1995 GPG 39 meeting at American Bureau of Shipping, New York.
12-14 Mar 1996 GPG 40 meeting at American Bureau of Shipping, New York.
Indian Register of Shipping became a full Member of IACS at C61, 22 June 2010.
D2.2: C61 agreed that EG/Safety of Surveyors should draft Procedural Requirements
(C61 FUA 12) and that consequently the reporting line should be through GPG
instead of direct to Council. EG/Training added, reporting initially to the Quality
Committee.
D2.4.4: Permanent Secretariat staff emails amended – Zoe Wright deleted, Thomas
Sia added.
History: updated
B2.1.3: added Small Group Quality Policy (SG/QP) Membership and Terms of
Reference. (C62 FUA 16).
B2.6.2 (f): UK CHIRP deleted (as the Maritime programme funding has been
withdrawn).
C2.3: added SG/QP voting, meetings and general administration. (C62 FUA 16).
C4.2: new para 3 regarding reporting overall work programme. (GPG 69 FUA 2).
C8.2.3: financial reporting periods changed from two half years to first 3Q and last
1Q. All WGs subject to cost-shared budgets included. (GPG 69 FUA 30).
D1.1.1: Form A modified to show if the task is to be added to TC Forum or not. The
items at the end of the Form have also been re-ordered. (GPG 69 FUA 2).
History: updated.
B2.2.2 (e): amended assigning only the initial adoption of Common Rules to Council.
C2.1: para 2, deleted second sentence, in alignment with Vol 4 of the Procedures
(CSR).
C3.1: 1st para, second sentence amended in line with IACS Procedures, Vol 4.
C3.2: para 6, addition re Vice Chair (GPG 70 FUA 23/GPG 69 FUA 1/10161_IGc).
C4.2.1: added new para 8 re Vice Chair (GPG 70 FUA 23/GPG 69 FUA
1/10161_IGc).
C4.3.1: para 1, second sentence, for the avoidance of doubt added ‘or revised’ (see
also D1.1.1).
C5: 1st para, last sentence amended in line with IACS Procedures, Vol 4.
C5.1.2: deleted “by IACS Council” in line with IACS Procedures, Vol 4.
C6.1.5: new para 7 added regarding ‘no position’ (GPG 70 FUA 5).
C8.3: added new section regarding invoicing and payment of dues (in parallel with
amendments to Vol 2).
History: updated.
B2.1.2: Add the duty of identifying opportunities and threads to the Chairman’s
office (C64 FUA 11).
C3.1: Changes to Voting criteria for the Common Structural Rules (C64 FUA 12,
10151c)
C.4.1: Changes to Voting criteria for the Common Structural Rules (C64 FUA 12,
10151c)
C4.2: Panel chairs reporting time changed from monthly to quarterly (C64 FUA 1,
11001).
C4.2.2: The basis of monitoring the use of TC Forum was changed from the monthly
to quarterly reports (C64 FUA 1, 11001).
C4.4: New Section, FSA Studies - Procedure for the exchange of data (11120_IGc)
D1.3.2 C. Annexes Footnote (2) A footnote was added advising that record of
Members’ ongoing participation is not applicable to Expert Groups (GPG71 FUA 22).
D2.4.4: Added email address of the IACS Permanent Representative to the EU.
History: updated.
C3.3, C4.2, C4.2.1, C4.2.3.1, C4.2.7, D1.3.2 & D1.3.3: Role of GPG Vice-
Chairman was added as well as other revisions and additions proposed as a result of
the GPG Vice-Chairman’s meeting with the Panel Chairs (12044_IGb & GPG71 FUAs
1 & 5 bis).
C4.2.1: A note for GPG’s decision to extend the role of Permanent Secretariat to
update Forms A/1 was added (12040_IGb & GPG 71 FUA 2).
C7.1.3 & D2.2: EG/M&W was added to the email protocol and in the Organisation
Chart (12108_IGe).
D2.4.1: KR, RS, PRS, DNV and RINA address change (12153_KRa), (12143_RSa),
(12143_PRa), (Bilateral 12143_IAa) & (11001_RIn) respectively.
D2.4.4: RS email change (12156_RSa). Also a note on the list for IACS observers is
added.
History: updated.
C4.1: The Autumn Panel meetings are to be held at least three weeks before the
GPG meeting was added.
Location of Working Group meetings was added.
C4.2.3.1: The “EG Chair” was added and guidance was made with regards to who
issues deadlines.
C4.2.7: Guidance to Panel Chairmen on the contents of their oral reports to autumn
GPG meeting was included.
C5: Notes on Members’ obligation to comply with IACS Resolutions in cases where
there is conflict with International or National legislation and/or regulation was
added.
C6.1.5: Panel internal target dates to be set so that the draft submissions to IMO are
sent to GPG at least three weeks before the deadline for submission to the IMO
meetings and the IACS IMO Accredited Representative to be invited to assist in
drafting the paper before submitted to GPG.
D1.3: Matters for special GPG attention to be listed in section 3.3 of Part A of the
Annual Progress Report and changes to the format of the report were made.
History: updated.
B2.4.1.1, B2.6.1, B2.6.5, B2.6.6, C2.2, C5.2.3, C6.1.1, C6.1.2, C6.1.4, C6.1.5,
C6.1.6, C6.1.7, C6.1.8, C7.1.2, & D2.3: The title of IACS Permanent
Representative to IMO was changed to IACS Accredited Representative to IMO
following IMO’s directive earlier in 2014 that Permanent Representatives are Flag
States’ personnel attending IMO meetings and those of NGOs (Non-governmental
Organisations) are Accredited Representatives.
B2, B2.4.1.1, B2.4.1.2, B2.6.5, C4.2.3.3, C5.2.3, C5.3, C6.1.3, C6.1.4, C6.1.7,
C7.1.2, C7.1.3, & D2.2: Changes and references were introduced to reflect the
splitting of the “Statutory Panel” into “Environmental Panel” and “Safety Panel”.
History: updated, including listing of GPG Chairs and GPG meetings dates and their
location. Also, the list of IACS Permanent Representatives to IMO since 1993 has
been introduced.
D2.3: SGMF was introduced and DNV GL’s address was changed.
History: updated.
D2.2: Changes for the merged Expert Groups (EG/ISM-ISPS and EG/ILO) and the
reporting of EG/GBS and EG/EU t GPG too, were shown.
History: updated.
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